George Kenneth Ostrum

George Kenneth Ostrum, cherished husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, 84 years, of Xenia went home to be with his Lord on June 1, 2023. He was preceded in death by: his parents Oscar and Greta Ostrum; his only sibling, Tommy Ostrum; his sister-in-law Pauline Ostrum, all of Rockford, IL, and his only son, Douglas Keith Ostrum, of Columbus, OH. He is survived by his beloved wife Elaine Shears Ostrum, his daughter and son-in-law Dawn and Mark Mathews of Xenia and daughter and son-in-law Kristin and Richard Leskovec of Willoughby, 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Ken attended public schools in Rockford IL and graduated with high honors from East Rockford High School. He enrolled in Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL where he met Elaine Shears their freshman year. Upon graduation in 1960 Ken received a commission in the U.S. Army as well as a BS with honors in Chemistry. They were married seven days after graduation and Ken went on to enroll in Northwestern University where he completed his PhD in Organic Chemistry. He went on active duty in the military serving at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA doing research related to materials for space craft applications. Ken’s career expanded with 32 years of service and recognition at Chemical Abstracts in the Columbus, OH division of the American Chemical Society where he became proficient in enabling world-wide researchers to access accurate, up-to-date technical information previously available only in print as well as similar information now computerized. This highly specialized technical system training required extensive travel in many locations in Europe, North America and Australia/New Zealand.

After retirement in 2000 he continued to support Chemical Abstracts part time even after their move to Xenia to be near his 6 grandchildren. While in Columbus, he was a member of Clintonville (Linworth) Baptist Church where he served in positions as deacon, AWANA commander, WOL Leader and Adult Sunday School teacher. In Xenia he became a member of Calvary Baptist Church where he again taught adult Sunday School, led a small group study, assisted on the Vacation Bible School staff, and served on the deacon Board, missions committee, and board of Campus Bible Fellowship.

Ken pursued a lifelong hobby in photography no matter where in the world he was, culminating in receiving the first-place ribbon in a City of Xenia photo contest.

A graveside service for Ken will be at 10 am, Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at Union Cemetery Association, 3349 Olentangy River Rd in Columbus, OH. A Celebration of Ken’s life will be held at 11 am Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at Calvary Baptist Church, 1601 W 2nd St., Xenia, OH 45385.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to Answers in Genesis, PO Box 510, Hebron, KY 41048.