May 30, 2019

Southwest Michigan fruit grower Otto Jasper Jr. dies at age 94

Otto John Jasper, Jr., 94, of St. Joseph, Michigan died Tuesday, May 28, 2019, 5:28 A.M. at Hanson Hospice Center, with his two daughters by his side.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 5 p.m., Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph, with Pastor Michael Roth officiating. Friends may visit from 3 p.m. until the time of service Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Linda Marutz Scholarship Fund – Lake Michigan College, Trinity Lutheran Church- St. Joseph, or Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to leave a message of condolence for the family may do so online at www.starks-menchingerer.com.

Otto was born on Oct. 7, 1924 on the family farm to Otto & Elsie (Zuhl) Jasper. Otto worked on the dairy farm at 14 years old. He met the love of his life, Doris Wetzel, at a skating pond in St. Joseph. They were married while Otto served in the Army (1945-1946) on June 15, 1946, at the old county courthouse in Berrien Springs. Both Otto and Doris were members of Trinity Lutheran Church of St. Joseph. They had 3 daughters, Linda (Marutz), Vicki (Rudell) and Donna Jasper.

Otto made many new wonderful friends selling fruit on the farm during the summer. This led to a lifetime legacy of being one of the most well respected and loved fruit farmers in Southwest Michigan.

In addition to owning the Jasper Farms, Otto was also the Royalton Township Clerk (April ’61 – Nov. ’88), served over 40 years on the Tri Unit Fire board; was a proud member of the National Grape Growers Association for over 60 years, he was an authorized Welch’s grower; was a Farm Bureau member; and also member of the Stevensville American Legion Post 568 for 50 years. On any given morning, you could find him sitting at his kitchen table, enjoying his cup of coffee, reading the morning paper, and watching the hummingbirds and orioles. He treasured the time he spent with many friends and family coming to visit him. He never passed up a good home cooked meal or dessert. Everyone that knew him knew a way to his heart was through his stomach.

Jasper Farms will always hold a special place in all of our hearts.

Otto is survived by his daughters Vicki Rudell of Berrien Springs and Donna Jasper of Buchanan; grandchildren, Jessica (Jeff) Roberts, Ann (Brian) Bowen, Lisa (Scott) Howe, George (Laura) Marutz Jr. and Amanda Marutz; great-grandchildren, Rebecca (Brian) Howe, Nick Smith, Max Howe, Julia Bowen, Jasmine Smith, Jace Roberts and Jaylen Roberts.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Doris, daughter Linda Marutz, granddaughter Jennifer Johnson and sister Dorothy Rocky.