Death of Reverend Otto F. Artopoeus, Former Missionary to India
1920-2011
Global Ministeries is saddened to learn of the death of Reverend Otto Frederick Artopoeus, on June 28, 2011. Reverend Artopoeus, 90, of Bellevue, Kentucky, passed away at Carmel Manor Nursing Home in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.
Reverend Artopoeus served in the mission field in India from 1946 to 1952, teaching at Salem English School, in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. He was pastor at Eden United Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and St. John United Church of Christ in West Alexandria, Ohio. He also served as pastor of St. John United Church of Christ, Bellevue, for 23 years from 1964 to 1987 and was honored following his retirement by being named Pastor Emeritus. Otto celebrated his 90th birthday on November 27, 2010, and 65 years of ordained ministry on January 6, 2011.
Reverend Artopoeus served on the national United Church Board for World Ministries for 12 years. He was an active member of the Council of Christian Communions for 15 years, including one year as president, and in 1989 the Council awarded him the Ecumenical Service Award. He also served with the Bellevue – Dayton Ministerial Association, Interfaith Commission, and was active in MARCC (Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati). For many years he wrote for the denomination’s periodical, United Church Herald.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Artopoeus, and a daughter, Ann Artopoeus. He is survived by his daughters, Judith Buel of Bradenton, Florida and Melissa Artopoeus of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, his granddaughter, Amanda Miller, and great grandchildren Urijah and Cayden.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, July 9, at 9:30 a.m. at St. John United Church of Christ, Bellevue, Kentucky, with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate, Kentucky. Memorials are suggested to the St. John United Church of Christ, 520 Fairfield Avenue, Bellevue, KY 41073, or to the Vellore Christian Medical College Foundation, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 725, New York, NY 10115.
Messages of condolence may be sent to Ms. Judith A. Buel, 3613 64th Street W, Bradenton, FL 34209-7650, and Ms. Melissa Artopoeus, 904 Grandview Avenue, Fort Thomas, KY 41073-1519.