A tribute to
Mickey and Jim
On February 12th, 2024, following a brief hospital stay, Myrtie Ida (Nabinger) Ortloff passed away. She was born on August 14th, 1938, to Leland Edson Nabinger (Mike) and Beulah Leola Bebee Nabinger (Peg) in their home on Kent St., Windsor, New York, the 10th of 11 children and the youngest daughter. She joins her husband James Edward Ortloff, who predeceased her on January 5 th 1992.
They were married on October 20th, 1956, in the Harpursville United Methodist Church. They had met through a mutual acquaintance who had brought the city boy, Jim, who enjoyed rabbit hunting with his hounds, up to the Nabinger family farm where the country girl (Mickey) lived in Nineveh, New York.
During their married life they lived in Harpursville NY, Warrenton VA, and finally in 1977 moved to their 19 acres of woods in Underhill VT. There, with the help of their children, they designed and built their dream house over that summer and moved with the kids and animals into the home before that winter.
Jim worked for IBM fresh from high school for 36 years. He held several patents with them. IBM sent him all over the world on their behalf. He also enjoyed camping, rabbit hunting, bamboo fly fishing, photography, and operated a ham radio installation for many years communicating with others all over the world.
Mickey enjoyed cooking, gardening, especially her dwarf conifers and hosta plants and at one time had over 200 house plants in her home. Together they also enjoyed square dancing and at age 50, Mickey was still turning cartwheels in the yard. She enjoyed watching football, NASCAR races and Olympic ice skating, usually with a glass of fine wine. They both enjoyed listening to opera as well.
Surviving are their daughters Maria and husband Steve Grimsley, and Teresa Bettis, and son and daughter-in-law Steve and Barb Ortloff, along with six grandchildren and two great grandsons.
Jim was born December 4, 1936, in Binghamton NY the youngest of six children he grew up in Binghamton. Jim’s parents George and Ella Ortloff and his siblings Charles, John (Jack) , Glen, Gracie, Fred, and Ruth have all passed since his death. Mickey also tutored children while they lived in Virginia.
Their best friends were Marlene and Bob Rosenkratz who reside in Deposit, NY. Mickey and Marlene had many adventures while helping with the hay baling on the farm.
They were each cremated and per their request, the family will hold a memorial service in the summer of 2024.
