John E. 'Jack' Otto

With his loving family by his side, John Otto passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at his residence. John was born in Racine, May 25, 1942, son of the late Olaf and Dorothy (Nee: Schuett) Otto.

Jack was a graduate of Washington Park High School “Class of 1960.” On June 27, 1970, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Milwaukee, Jack was united in marriage to the love of his life, Paulette Wolf. While attending UW-Milwaukee, he was employed with Johnson Wax. He later was employed with PDI as Quality Control Manager for 18 years. Jack owned and operated two Galaxy Video stores in town and also ran Kidd’s Travel with his wife, Paulette. Until his illness, Jack most recently followed the open roads as a truck driver to see the country.

In his younger years, Jack proudly served in US Marine Corps. He then served with the Civil Air Patrol USAF-Aux for twenty five years. During that time he was a search and rescue pilot, Commander of the Racine Squadron and Director of Operations for the Wisconsin Wing. Jack was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church and was active with their Boy Scout Troop 161. In his free time, he enjoyed playing with his computer, flying, and tending to his garden. More than anything Jack will be best remembered as a loving husband and father. He will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his loving wife, Paulette; his son and daughter-in-law, John E. (Anna) Otto II of Racine; his two grandchildren, Johnathon and Scarlette; sister-in-law, Donna Otto of Union Grove; brothers-in-law, Keith (Diana) Wolf of South Milwaukee, James Owens of Enterprise, AL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, William.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Avenue, Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 10 a.m. with Rev. Raymond Elam O.S.A. officiating. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Friday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to the American Heart Association or to St. Rita Boy Scout Troop 161 have been suggested.

The family wishes to sincerely thank the doctors and staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center and the nurses and staff at Ridgewood Care Center for their outstanding care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888