Jerry Wayne Otte, 74, of Terre Haute, IN, passed from this life on May 21, 2022. Jerry was born in Lepanto, Arkansas on April 17, 1948 to Orval Ernest Otte and Martha Myrl Otte. Jerry graduated from Gerstmeyer High School in 1968. He was drafted into the Army in August 1968, where he had his advanced training in Tigerland Jungle School. He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Brenton on December 21, 1968. He served a year and a half in Germany, where his new wife was able to join him. He graduated from Ivy Tech in 1975 with an electronics degree. He was employed at Wabash Fibre Box Company for 30 years, until the plant closed. He then worked at Ivy Hill for 6 months and Tredegar for 2 years. He retired from Wabash Fibre Box Company. He also retired as a Master Sergeant from the Army with 24 years of service from the 972nd Engineer Battalion. He retired from Tredegar with 2 years of service.
Jerry was a leader in his Army Reserve Battalion. He flew to Honduras on several missions with the Army. He was always very touched by the poverty he witnessed there. He saw young children begging for pencils and supplies so they could go to school. If they didn’t have those supplies they could not attend school. On one of his missions in Honduras he led a mission to construct a school for the local children. On another occasion he led a mission to construct a road to a market. He enjoyed the men he worked with in the military. Jerry received many awards from the military throughout his years of service, including the Meritorious Service Award. This award is presented to members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement of service in the United States. He retired from the military as a Master Sergeant in 1996.
Jerry was active in the Labor Council and was honored with the 2019 Henry Ozok Retiree Award provided by the Wabash Valley Chapter of the Labor Council. Jerry was the vice president of PACE.
Jerry was a devout family man. His family was a top priority. After the children were grown, he enjoyed Sunday dinners with them weekly. He was a top-notch husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a great story-teller, and loved his “DAD” jokes.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He volunteered in many capacities at church including Primary teacher, Scout Leader, Elder’s Quorum Counselor, Boy Scout Leadership committee to name a few. He also participated in gathering food for the needy every year.
He is survived by his wife Nancy, and four children, 3 sons, Brent J. Otte of Terre Haute, Brian W. Otte of Terre Haute, Jeffery A. Otte (Ashley) of Farmersburg, and one daughter, Sheryl L.Robinson (Lee) of Terre Haute; one sister Tina Barth (Charlie), and one brother Mike Otte (Allyson) of Northport Florida. He is also survived by his grandchildren Destiny McKillop, Hanna Robinson, Jordan Otte, Kennedy Otte, Avery Otte, Grant Otte, Gracyn Otte, Olivia Otte, Vanessa Otte and Owen Otte; Sister-in-Law Margaret Douglas (Steve) Terre Haute, and brother-in laws Charles Brenton Tennessee, Bob Brenton (Connie) of Terre Haute and David Brenton (Diane) of Terre Haute and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry was preceded in death by his son, Gary Otte of Ohio, his sister-in-law Anna Brenton of New Mexico, his parents, grandparents, his father and mother-in-law and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation is Friday May 27, 2022 from 5-8 pm in Greiner Funeral Home, 2005 North 13th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana. Services will be on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 12 noon with a visitation will from 11:00 to 12:00 in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1845 No. 6th ½ St. Burial is in Grandview Cemetery.
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