Karen Walsh Nussbaum, C.F.S.P.

Karen graduated from Marquette High School and then studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. After graduating from Worsham College, Karen and Jack Cooter purchased the Ottawa Funeral Home from her father, Edward J Walsh. A Licensed Funeral Director, Karen has served on various state committees and is current President of District Five of the The Illinois Funeral Director's Association.

Karen is nationally recognized, having been one of the first recipients of the David Baue Scholarship which is awarded to women in the funeral service profession. Karen has been profiled and published in a funeral trade journal. Her credentials extend to being certified by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. 

Her volunteer efforts in the community have included Rotary, Zonta, YMCA and Hospice. She initiated the Camp Fires Treasure of Life Program, a bereavement camp for youngsters. Karen was honored by the Business Professional Women in 1995 when she was named Woman of the Year.

Her husband, Nelson, is also a funeral director, and owner of the Osborne-Nelson Funeral Home in Seneca, IL. They have two children, JB, his wife Katie, and daughter Micki. 

Nelson J. Nussbaum

Born and raised on a farm near the town of Forrest, Illinois, located about 60 miles South East of Ottawa, Nelson graduated from Forrest/Strong-Wing High School in 1965. He joined the service in 1966 serving in the Vietnam War as a US Navy Seabee. In 1968 he enrolled at Illinois State University and graduated in 1972 with a BS in Vocation Agriculture Education. After college he took a position with Archer-Daniels-Midland in their grain elevator company's Illinois River division, serving for 14 years. He also worked part-time as a teacher at Ottawa High School.

He attended and graduated from Worsham College. In addition to being on staff at Ottawa Funeral Home, he is owner of the Osborne-Nelson Funeral Home in Seneca, IL.

Nelson is involved in numerous community groups serving as past Presidents of Kiwanis and the Camp Fire Board and was treasurer for the Masonic Temple for 15 years. Nelson has served as Treasurer of the Ottawa High School Booster Club. His outside activities include golfing, softball and snow skiing. Married to Karen Anne Walsh, they have two children, JB, his wife Katie, and daughter Micki.

Jennifer Leifheit

Jennifer was born and raised in Ottawa. A graduate of Ottawa High School, she later attended Illinois Valley Community College before graduating from the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, Illinois with the Illinois Funeral Directors Association Scholarship Award. She served her apprenticeship with Nelson Funeral Homes in Yorkville, IL where she not only received her funeral directing and embalmers license, but also became a licensed cremationist through the Cremation Association of Northern America (CANA). Jennifer returned to her hometown and began working for Ottawa Funeral Home in June of 2007 with funeral pre-planning being her specialty.

Jennifer is a member of the First United Methodist Church serving on the Worship and Evangelism Committee, Zonta, and is also a volunteer at the local homeless shelter.

Jennifer's husband, Ryan, is a Crop Insurance Specialist for 1st Farm Credit Services. They live in Ottawa with their two sons Bryce and Reily.

John A. Cooter

Born and raised in Ottawa, IL, Jack graduated from Marquette High School and attended Southern Illinois University. He graduated from Worsham College in 1965. As a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, he served on the professional staffs of Hulse, Gladfelter's and the Ottawa Funeral Homes. In 1988 he purchased the Ottawa Funeral Home with co-owner Karen Walsh Nussbaum. Jack is the only native Ottawan to both own and operate a local funeral home. He is a member of the Illinois Funeral Director's Association and the Funeral Ethics Association.

Jack is active in several community and civic organizations including the Knights of Columbus as a 4th degree member and past officer. The Lion's Club honored his efforts as "eyeglass" program coordinator and work in candy sales with their leadership award. Jack was a board member of the Ottawa Salvation Army for several years and is a veteran of the Ottawa Elks Lodge #588 where he has held several offices and has served as chairman of their memorial program for many years. He is a life long member of St. Patrick's Church.

He and his wife, Patricia, have two children, Scott and Kristen, and three Grandsons. John retired this year planning to spend more time with his family.

Jamie Ricci

Jamie was born was born and raised in the Ottawa area. A graduate of Ottawa High School, she later attended Illinois Valley Community College before graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary College in Chicago, Illinois. While at Worsham she was elected Vice President of the Pi Sigma Eta National Morticians Fraternity. She served her apprenticeship at Ottawa Funeral Home and is now a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer.

She is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ottawa.

Jamie's husband Jeff, is a Sales and Procurement Manager at Clover Technologies in Ottawa. They live in Ottawa with their two sons Austin and Brandon.