Jeff D. Otto age 87 of Novelty, MO passed away Friday, February 11, 2022, at his home rural Novelty. He was born October 27, 1934, in Arthur, IL the son of Daniel E. and Susanna G. Kauffman Otto.
He was united in marriage to Leah Schrock on April 14, 1957 in Arthur, IL. Surviving are his wife Leah Otto of Novelty, MO, six children, Peggy Sue (David) Ward of Siloam Springs, AR, Anita Rose (Chris) Wolvin of Burlington, N.J., Judith Ann (Michael) Schneider of Wiley, CO, Pamela Kay Ausmus of Edina, MO, Mark Wesley Otto of Newton, KS, and Connie Jo (Lonnie) von Thun of Leonard, MO, thirteen grandchildren, Grandchildren , Rachel (Austin)Maxwell, Bethany (Craig) Gallaway, Ryan Ward, Emily (Daniel)Hemple, Megan Wolvin, Heidi (Ty) Hartigan, Reuben (Melissa) Schneider, Maggie (Codey) Schmeiser, Karie (Jeremy) Holman, Katie (Jason)Wayman, Amber (Andy) Greenley, Taylor (Curtis) Weaver, Colton (Alex) von Thun, seventeen great grandchildren, Ellie, Adeline and Juliet Hemple Brooklyn Sheer, Saigeley and Liam Hartigan. Mia and Madalyn Schneider, Roan Schmeiser, Jace, James, and Joellyn Holman, Alivia and Westin Wayman, Lee and Miller Greenley, Georgia von Thun, sisters-in-law, Edna Mae Otto, Leonard, MO., Edna Otto, Newton, KS and many nieces and nephews.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, John, Eli, Duane, Amos and Simon, and two sisters, Lena Yoder and Polly Ransome.
Jeff attended rural schools in Arthur, IL. Jeff and Leah moved from Illinois to Novelty in 1959 where he was engaged in farming. Jeff was an avid conservationist and was involved with soil and water conservation. He was one of the founders and board member of the local ethanol plant in Macon, MO. Jeff served on the Knox County R1 School Board, was actively involved with Gideons International, was a supporter of Growing Hope Globally (Food Resource Bank), was involved with Day Springs Out Reach Orphanage Ministry in Mexico and was also involved in many mission trips globally. Jeff was a member of Mt. Pisgah Mennonite Church Cherry Box, MO.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2022, in Mt. Pisgah Mennonite Church in Cherry Box. Officiating the services will be Pastor Mike Schneider and Pastor Tim Worstell.
Casket bearers will be Colton von Thun, Ryan Ward, Reuben Schneider, Andy Greenley, Jeremy Holman, Jason Wayman, Codey Schneider, Curtis Weaver. Honorary bearers will be Austin Maxwell, Craig Gallaway, Tynan Hartigan, and Daniel Hemple.
Visitation will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO. Burial will be in the Church of the Brethren Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Gideons International or Growing Hope Globally (Food Resource Bank). Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO 63537.