Klement "Clem" Kotoff

Klement “Clem” Kotoff, age 94, of Cumberland, died peacefully at his home at 2:52 AM on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, with his family by his side. He lived in his home since he was 5 years old, a fact he was immensely proud of. He was born November 10, 1925 in Red Town, OH a son of the late Alex and Anna Kasper Kotoff.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Patricia June Evanchuck Kotoff whom he married July 10, 1948 and who passed away January 31, 2011; his brother Andrew Kotoff; his sisters Mary Lorkowski and Helen Kotoff, son-in-law David DeLong and his great grandson Wesley Cline.

He is survived by three sons - Ron (Diane) Kotoff of Cincinnati, Bob (Barb) Kotoff of Cumberland, Rick (Kathy) Kotoff of Cumberland, and four daughters - Debra DeLong of Senecaville, Tami Kotoff of Pleasant City, Lori (Aaron) Moon of Maine and Sheri (Matt) Colson of Cumberland. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren and nephews and nieces.

Clem was a carpenter, a trade that came very natural to him. He started his own carpentry business, trained and worked with his sons, and built and remodeled homes until he retired. He also worked for Cambridge Lumber and built many buildings locally that are still standing and in use. He was a jack of all trades and master of many. He also was a farmer. Anyone who knew Clem knew they could find him on his tractor somewhere in the field. He loved singing, playing his accordion and guitar and square dancing; one of he and his wife's favorite past times where for many years, he even called the dances. Polkas were his favorite to dance to, with his wife. He was outgoing and never met a stranger. He loved people. He had a wonderful sense of humor and kept that clear to the end, even with his hospice nurse Kyla.

Clem was a hardworking, loving father who instilled that hard work ethic into his children. Though he worked hard during the day and farmed in the evening, his children and grandchildren will tell you he always made time for playing with them. Even up to months before he died, he would "chase" his great granddaughter around the kitchen table and played "store, doctor, and hairdresser" with her. He truly was young at heart.

Clem was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and had been such for 65 years. He was a member of the Cambridge Congregation. He loved his God, Jehovah, and appreciated talking to others about him and the promises he has made for the future, including the hope of the resurrection back to a paradise earth under God's Kingdom - a hope his family shares! His favorite verse was 1 Timothy 2:3,4 which says "this is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, whose will is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." He was a student of the Bible himself and loved to study it with others.

A private funeral service is planned for Saturday, April 11, 2020 at 10:00 AM in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel, 609 West Street, Caldwell, OH 43724. A private burial will be held at the Zion Cemetery in Claysville, OH. The service will also be live streamed for any family and friends of Clem that can't be there in person. Please contact one of his children for details. Memorial contributions may be directed in Clem’s honor to the Hospice of Guernsey Inc., PO Box 1165, Cambridge, OH 43725.

He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and congregation.

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