Otto A. Bradtmueller, Jr.

Otto A. Bradtmueller, Jr., age 87, of New Haven, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at his residence. He was born on June 25, 1938, in Hoagland, Indiana, the son of the late Otto A. Bradtmueller, Sr. and Louise (Hitzeman) Bradtmueller. On February 14, 1959, Otto was united in marriage to Janice Busse at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They shared sixty-three years of marriage before her passing on March 5, 2022.

Otto was a devoted member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he faithfully served the Lord as a longtime member of the funeral committee, an elder, and a church council member. He was also a member of the New Haven Conservation Club and proudly celebrated twenty-two years as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. A 1956 graduate of Hoagland High School, Otto retired in 1983 after twenty-six years as a production worker with International Harvester. Following his retirement, he continued to serve his community as a caretaker for the New Haven Conservation Club, a janitor with East Allen County Schools, and a clerk for P&R Express Marathon.

Otto enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. He had an ornery streak and sense of humor which his children were blessed to also receive. One of his greatest accomplishments was serving as a foster parent, along with Janice, to more than seventy-two children, a role both he and Janice treasured.

Surviving are his daughters, Christie (Richard) Biddlecome of Coker, Alabama; Carla (Jeff) Fritz of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Vicki (John) Fitzgerald of New Haven, Indiana; his sons, Mark (Jennifer) Bradtmueller and Brian Bradtmueller both of New Haven, Indiana; foster daughter, Dora Boyd of Indianapolis, Indiana; sister-in-law, Marlis Bradtmueller of Hoagland, Indiana; seventeen grandchildren; ten and a half great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and two foster grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his three brothers, Edward Bradtmueller, Robert Bradtmueller, and Wilmer Bradtmueller; his sister, Irene Kruse; and his granddaughter, Catarina Fritz.

A funeral service for Otto will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, located at 7710 East State Boulevard in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with Pastor Steven Ahlersmeyer and Pastor Nate Widener officiating. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Family and friends will be received for visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and again on Saturday from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers preferred memorials can be given to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, or Christian Community Health Care, and can be mailed to Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, 520 North 2nd Street, Decatur, Indiana 46733.

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana