Otto Anderson
Deacon
Otto Anderson was ordained deacon on June 13, 2009 and served at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church until November 2012. He then answered the call to serve at Christ Church in Springfield, OH for three years before returning to St Paul’s in December 2017.
Otto and his wife Jamie have been married 19 years. They have a daughter Emilee, who works for Operation Smile in Virginia Beach, VA and a son Nathan, who works for Kroger in Bloomington, IN. Otto and his late first wife adopted Emilee and Nathan from South Korea in the late 1980’s. They are now raising their grandchildren, 13-year old twins Kayla and Jeremiah. Family pets include Ruby the English bulldog, Tabby (cat), Leonardo (Testudo Hermanni), Wiggles (Mephitis Mephitis), and Fish.
Otto has certificates from Sewanee, Education for Ministry, and the Diocese of Southern Ohio, School for the Diaconate, as well as an MS in Administration, a BS in Aeronautical Engineering, and a BS in Mathematics and Computer Science. Otto has spent over 40 years working for the Air Force, retiring as a Major in 1997, and continuing on as a contractor for several companies. Most of his career has been within the Intelligence Community.
Otto is involved with ministry to Episcopal Retirement Services affordable housing at Shawnee Place in Springfield where he conducts a Bible Study with the residents. He says his most spiritually challenging ministry is raising the twins!
Otto and his wife Jamie have been married 19 years. They have a daughter Emilee, who works for Operation Smile in Virginia Beach, VA and a son Nathan, who works for Kroger in Bloomington, IN. Otto and his late first wife adopted Emilee and Nathan from South Korea in the late 1980’s. They are now raising their grandchildren, 13-year old twins Kayla and Jeremiah. Family pets include Ruby the English bulldog, Tabby (cat), Leonardo (Testudo Hermanni), Wiggles (Mephitis Mephitis), and Fish.
Otto has certificates from Sewanee, Education for Ministry, and the Diocese of Southern Ohio, School for the Diaconate, as well as an MS in Administration, a BS in Aeronautical Engineering, and a BS in Mathematics and Computer Science. Otto has spent over 40 years working for the Air Force, retiring as a Major in 1997, and continuing on as a contractor for several companies. Most of his career has been within the Intelligence Community.
Otto is involved with ministry to Episcopal Retirement Services affordable housing at Shawnee Place in Springfield where he conducts a Bible Study with the residents. He says his most spiritually challenging ministry is raising the twins!
Lois J. Smith
Parish Administrator
Lois started working for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in 1996 - 27 years ago. She was first hired as the Education Secretary and is currently the Parish Administrator. Lois was born a Hoosier, but like most who migrate to Ohio, she is now a loyal Buckeye. Lois and her husband Ron have six adult children! Now, as empty nesters, they have lots of places to visit. Lois and Ron enjoy spending time with their granddaughters, gardening, summertime and the ocean.
Susan J. Starner
Finance & Properties Administrator
Sue joined the St. Paul’s staff in August 2005 and is currently the Finance & Properties Administrator. Originally from eastern Pennsylvania, Sue, her husband Allen, and their three boys moved to Ohio in 1993 due to a job transfer. Sue is known as the cat herder within the offices of St. Paul’s and is Wilson’s favorite human.
When not ‘crunching numbers,’ Sue enjoys gardening, hiking, and attending local Oktoberfests!
When not ‘crunching numbers,’ Sue enjoys gardening, hiking, and attending local Oktoberfests!
Cara Whitby
Music Director
Cara was born and raised in a musical family. Both her father and grandfather were band directors and music teachers for more than 30 years. Her grandfather played trumpet under the direction of John Philip Sousa at the Interlochen Academy of the Arts in Traverse City, Michigan. Her great-grandfather on her mother’s side was a church organist. Before following in her great-grandfather’s footsteps and becoming an organist herself, Cara played a variety of musical instruments: piano, flute, piccolo, alto saxophone, and harp. An Illinois native, Cara earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal music education from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. She went on to earn two masters degrees from the University of Kansas; one in music education and one in church music. Prior to moving to Ohio, she raised her two daughters in Sioux City, Iowa, where she worked as an elementary school music teacher for the Sioux City Community School District and as organist for St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Sioux City.