Gary L. Ocepek, 80, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, May 4, 2026, at home under the loving care of his family.
Gary, son of Joseph and Betty (Conrad) Ocepek, was born on May 29, 1945, in Ottawa. On November 1, 1975, he wed Shelli Peterson at Saint Patrick’s Church in Ottawa, a union that would span fifty cherished years.
A lifelong Ottawa native, Gary received his early education at Saint Patrick’s Grade School before graduating from Marquette High School in 1963. He embarked on his banking career as a teller at First National Bank of Ottawa, later joining Ottawa Federal Savings and Loan in 1970. Over the following decades, he rose through the ranks, ultimately being named President, Director, and Chief Executive Officer in 1994. After forty distinguished years with Ottawa Savings Bank, he retired at the age of sixty-five. Among his most enduring contributions was overseeing the renovation and expansion of the Bank’s building — both inside and out — to honor the rich history of Washington Park and the surrounding architecture.
He was involved in countless community organizations and boards, including Ottawa Jaycees, the Elks, Friendship Days, the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and Ambassadors, City Council, Housing Authority, Ottawa Youth Center, Community Sesquicentennial, Wallace Fire Protection, and United Way.
Gary took tremendous pride in his community, perhaps nowhere more so than in his role with Labor of Love. As the program’s first volunteer Chairman in 1992, he helped lay its foundation and remained a steady, guiding presence for twenty-one years.
He is survived by his wife, their three sons, Ryan (Becky) Ocepek of Eagle, CO, Brady (Allison) Ocepek of Ottawa, and Casey (Amanda) Ocepek, of Ottawa; five grandchildren, Aidan, Lily, Kaisley, Kennedy, and Colton, his mother-in-law, Jean Peterson of Ottawa, and brother-in-law Scott (Denise) Peterson, of Madison, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Harold Peterson.
Gary was a devoted family man who treasured every moment spent with his children and grandchildren. He had a passion for the slopes of Vail, Colorado, where family ski trips became cherished traditions. His love of cooking flourished in the kitchen, and he passed this on to his sons, who still carry that gift with them. At home, he found equal joy in tending to his garden and pouring his care into the house that held so many memories.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date at the grave site in Oakwood Memorial Park, where Gary will be laid to rest.
The family requests memorials be directed to Marquette Academy Grade School, Wallace Fire Protection, or Labor of Love.
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The online guest book may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.ottawafuneralhome.com
Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory
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