Jan. 15, 1944 — April 27, 2015

Jack Owen Otteson, 71, passed away on April 27, 2015, at his home in Rose City, Michigan. He was born in Niles, Michigan on Jan. 15, 1944, to Walford and Mildred Otteson of Dowagiac, Michigan. A graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he worked as an automotive design engineer, primarily for Perfect Circle / Dana Corporation. He held 4 letter patents for his work on designing speed control devices for the automotive industry, and one private design patent on a ground anchor stake to be used in trapping.

He married his wife Johanne on July 20, 1968, in Saginaw Michigan. They resided in Dover, New Jersey while Jack served in the army. After his military service his engineering jobs took them to Hagerstown, Indiana, Laurinburg, North Carolina, and Dundee, Michigan. Retirement brought them to Rose City in 1997.

Jack enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid trapper and deer hunter. He was also an active blacksmith and volunteered as the Village Blacksmith at the Ogemaw County Fair from 1997 until his death.

Jack was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Rose City. He also held memberships in Michigan Artist Blacksmith Association and The Friends of Hartwick Pines State Park. He was a lifetime member of Fur Takers of America, The National Trappers Association, The North Carolina Trappers Association, Fur Harvesters of America, and the National Rifle Association. He was on the board of directors of the National Trappers Association, co-director of district four of the Michigan Trappers Association, membership secretary of the Michigan Trappers Association, Vice President of Furbearers Unlimited for 6 years, Secretary for The Friends of Hartwick Pines State Park. He organized and led a state wide trappers class and education seminar for 3 years that was sponsored by the Michigan Trappers Association. He was named 2003 Trapper of the Year by the MTA.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Johanne Elizabeth Otteson, his 2 daughters, Sonya Marie (Steve) Vitarelli, and Erica Lynn (Kenny) White, his 6 grandchildren, Emily Michelle White, Thomas Owen White, Antonio Giuseppe Vitarelli, Isabella Rosa Vitarelli, Roberto Stefano Vitarelli, Carmela Serita Vitarelli, and his sister, Jane Marie (Phillip) King.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 125 W. Main St, Rose City, Michigan noon on Friday, May 8, with a dinner following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church in Rose City, Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers, the Trapper Defense Fund, or Fur Bearers Unlimited.