Many Bluffton residents recognized Adan Ortiz who lived in an apartment above Jordan-Diller Insurance agency on South Main Street. But, that’s where it ended. Who was he?

All that most people knew is that he often stood in the doorway between JDI and Edward Jones office, sometimes smoking a cigarette, as he watched the Bluffton scene pass him by.

Adan died on Jan. 22 at Bridge Hospice Care Center, Findlay, after battling cancer. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, at First Mennonite Church, Bluffton. Arrangements are under the direction of Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.

Ted Cunningham was very aware of Adan’s story. He provides it here for Icon viewers:

Adan Ortiz, 70, was born José Adán Ortiz on Dec. 11, probably in 1947, although his documents show 1946. He lived with his mother in village of Bracitos, Suchitepéquez Department, Guatemala.

She died when he was young. After receiving schooling through the third grade, he went to work.  Later he served in the Guatemalan military and married Elisabeth Valdés. 

Around age 25 Adan became mayor of Bracitos. He served actively in that capacity. 

Unfortunately, times had become stressful because of the social struggles going on in the country during the 1970s and ‘80s.  Established landowners felt threatened by landless people who were attempting to form farming cooperatives.  

Activists in the cooperative movement were murdered, including Adan´s own brother-in-law. When Adan received information that he was in danger himself, he left the area and moved far away, to Guatemala City. 

Apparently, however, it wasn´t far away enough. A friend, who worked in the police force, warned him that he was in danger. Adan took his family out for a meal, did not reveal his plans to his children, and then crossed the border into Mexico. After working there for a short while he crossed the border into Texas in 1985. 

Under the leadership of Richard Weaver, Bluffton University faculty member, it was arranged for Adan to come to Bluffton, under a plan of support for refugees who had been drawn up at First Mennonite Church. 

Initially, local families provided him with lodging, food, odd jobs, and help with learning English. 

In time, he was able to live independently, but always in contact with friends in the community. People in this area knew him because of his hard work, in particular his work with stone.

He was especially pleased when he received permanent resident status at the Federal Court in Cleveland. Bluffton became truly his home, for after more than 30 years he had lived here longer than anywhere else.

Adan was a generous person who enjoyed chatting with other people. He had a kind way with children as well as a sense of humor. 

He is survived by a son, Fausto, and his children, and a granddaughter in Guatemala City, as well as a son, Victor, and daughter, Claudia, in Miami, Florida.