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July 6, 1938 – January 26, 2025
Elisha Otto Fleetwood, 86, of Bedford, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at IU Health Bedford Hospital.
Born July 6, 1938, in Bedford, Indiana, Otto was the son of Elbert Fleetwood and Mildred (Hubbard Weddle of Bedford, Indiana. Otto married Nancy (Smoot) Fleetwood, and she survives.
Otto grew up in Bedford, Indiana, and attended Englewood and Shawswick Schools. His mother sent him to Indianapolis, Indiana, to learn the art of home building and become a man under the mentorship of his Uncle George Hubbard, a World War II veteran and home building contractor. He lived and learned under George Hubbard from 15 to 18 years old.
At 18, like many of the men in his family, Otto sold his 1949 Cadillac Convertible and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, completing his Basic Training in San Diego, California, effectively becoming known as a “Hollywood Marine.” He was stationed in the Marines in Singapore, the Philippines, and Okinawa, Japan (The Rock). After service, he lived on Malibu Beach briefly and then returned to his home state of Indiana.
Otto was known for being a classy dresser with an eye for style, from his haircut down to his shoes. His trademark topcoats in his younger years always stood out, and his Indianapolis “City Boy” style never left him.
Throughout his life, Otto enjoyed camping and traveling with many family members. He loved to travel and was well-versed in international and stateside travel. He always said, “No other country compares to the United States’ landscape and cleanliness.” He was very proud to be an American and instilled this in his children and grandchildren. Otto built many homes in the Lawrence County area and retired from General Motors Central Foundry in Bedford in 1990.
He was a faithful man believing in God and the Bible.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy (Smoot) Fleetwood of Bedford; children, Lynnette Fleetwood of Mitchell, James Dean (Diane) Fleetwood of French Lick, Warren (Alana) Fleetwood of Fort Branch, David (Amy) Fleetwood of Hardinsburg, Corey (Talitha) Allen of Mitchell, and Casey (Jennifer) Allen of Mitchell 27 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren.
His parents, brother Warren Edgar Weddle and sister Barbara Ellen Hudson preceded him in death.
The family will host a Celebration of Life for Elisha Otto Fleetwood at the Otis Park Redbrick House at 1621 Tunnelton Road on Wednesday, February 22, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
The family would like to express special gratitude to the doctors and nurses at IU Health Hospital in Bedford, Indiana, and Day and Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home in Bloomington, Indiana.