GALVESTON, Texas

John W. Otte, 89, of Galveston, Texas, passed away Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, at his home.

Born Oct. 12, 1926, in Seymour, he was the son of Omer and Mabel Otte.

After high school, John joined the U.S. Army Air Force 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 Bachelor of Arts in journalism and advertising. He then returned to Seymour and opened Johnny O’s Music Store. John later moved to Jasper to join the Kimball Piano and Organ Co., 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, Texas, where John enjoyed golfing at 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.

Besides his wife of 36 years, survivors include daughters, Nancy Otte of Jasper and Julie (Dave) Wedean of Dunwoody, Georgia; son, John R. “Chip” (Becky) Otte of Brownsburg; grandchildren, Ethan and Ashton Otte of Brownsburg; sisters, Treva Stahl of Seymour and Patricia Harris of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; brother-in-law, Bill Clift of Zionsville; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, whom he dearly loved.

A memorial service will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Malloy and Sons Funeral Home in Galveston with the Rev. Richard Rhoades officiating.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until time of service.