John William Otte

John W. Otte, 89, of Galveston, passed away Friday, August 26, 2016, at his residence. He was born October 12, 1926, in Seymour, IN, to Omer and Mabel Otte. After high school, John joined the US Army Airforce Band and served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater during World War II. After his honorable discharge in 1946, John attended Indiana University and graduated from Butler University with a BA in Journalism and Advertising. He then returned to Seymour and opened “Johnny O’s Music Store.” John later moved to Jasper, IN to join the Kimball Piano and Organ Company, where he rose to Vice President of Sales before his retirement in 1985.

John married Ellen Clift Otte in 1980, and together they moved to Galveston, TX, where John enjoyed golfing at the Galveston Country Club, the Monday Breakfast Club with his buddies, and the BT Dinner group. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Municipal Utility District No. 1 for several years.

John is survived by his wife of 36 years, Ellen Otte; daughters, Nancy Otte of Jasper, IN, and Julie Wedean and husband, Dave, of Dunwoody, GA; son, John R. “Chip” Otte and wife, Becky, of Brownsburg, IN; grandchildren, Ethan and Ashton Otte, of Brownsburg, IN; sisters, Treva Stahl of Seymour, IN, and Patricia Harris of Sault Ste Marie, MI; brother-in-law, Bill Clift, of Zionsville, IN; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews whom he dearly loved.

John’s family will receive visitors beginning at 3:00 pm, Tuesday, August 30, 2016, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home. A memorial service will begin at 3:30 pm, led by Rev. Richard Rhoades. A reception will follow the service at the funeral home.