Otto Schultz

Otto Schultz, 87, of St. Joseph, MI passed away, Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at his home.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, January 9, 2015 at Napier Parkview Baptist Church, 245 Napier Ave., Benton Harbor with Pastor Dr. J.O. Hosler officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice at Home, C.I.S. (Christian Involvement in Service) or Napier Parkview Baptist Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Otto online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Otto was born August 15, 1927 in Danzing, Germany to Albert & Frieda (Burau) Schultz. Otto was drafted into the German Military at the age of 17 in December of 1944. He spent the end of the war in an American prison war camp. On May 6, 1951 he married Maria Bettich in Germany. On July 4, 1956 Otto and Maria moved to the United States. He was employed by Bendix / Allied Signal as a machine repairman for 25 years. Otto was a charter member of Napier Parkview Baptist Church where he served on the Deacon Board for many years. He taught young people’s Sunday school and was a youth sponsor for the middle and high school youth. Otto’s main focus was his wife and family, his faith in God and his church. He also enjoyed his garden and reading books.  Otto is survived by his wife Maria Schultz of St. Joseph; a son Harold (Margie) Schultz of Nashville, TN; a daughter Elfie (Norman) Schuen of Kalamazoo, MI; 7 grandchildren, Kristin (Charlie) Walker; Joshua Schultz; John (Lynda) Schuen; James (Sherry) Schuen; Katherine (Patrick) Deighan; Kristen Schuen; Karen (Brent) Rowe; 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great great-grandchild; a sister Gertrud Puppel of St. Joseph.  Otto was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers Walter Schultz in 1942 and Gerhard Schultz in 2007.