Otto E. Jakobi

Otto E. Jakobi, 81 of Ft. Myers, died on Monday, August 15, 2016 at the Life Care Center of Estero. Otto was born on July 24, 1935 in Mancelona, Michigan son of the late Frederick and Anna Fisher Jakobi. Otto and his family moved to Chicago when he was 5 years old. He grew up on “the wrong side of the tracks” as he liked to say, a block away from his wife, Joan, although they did not meet until they were in their 20’s. He was baptized when he was 8 years old in Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod). He was also confirmed there at age 14 in 1949. He attended Hendricks School in Chicago through 8th grade. He then graduated from Chicago Vocational School in 1953 with a High School Diploma in Electricity. He later completed courses at DeVry Technical Institute in Fundamentals of Electronics and Electronic Instrumentation and Control. Otto was drafted into the United States Army in September of 1958. He was stationed in Germany with the 2nd Howitzer Battalion 7th Artillery, Battery “A”. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and the Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle). When he was discharged in September of 1960 he came home with a Letter of Appreciation from his commander that read in part “You have achieved in your two years of service a respect from superiors and subordinates, which most men never achieve. You have demonstrated the qualities of perseverance, integrity, and thoroughness which any organization, in any endeavor, seeks in its personnel”. Otto was very proud of his service to his country. After returning home to Chicago, Otto met his sister’s best friend and high school classmate, Joan Mayer. Despite an unlucky first date where Otto’s 1957 Chevy was hit while parked, they fell in love and were married on September 30, 1961. They became parents to Ken in 1964 and Julie in 1967. In 1971 Otto and Joan decided to move to Pompano Beach, Florida where they owned and operated a laundromat for three years. After selling the laundromat Otto began working as an appliance repairman and spent most of his career with Whirlpool. Otto and Joan moved to Fort Myers in 1994 and Otto retired from Whirlpool in 1999. Otto loved building and running HO scale model train displays. He was very interested in the Civil War, loved to watch (and coach) baseball, and followed the Miami Dolphins. He and Joan enjoyed traveling and, among other trips, went to Gettysburg and Lancaster County, PA. He could fix anything. He enjoyed playing practical jokes (even when they were on him). Surviving is his wife Joan Mayer Jakobi of Ft. Myers, FL; 1 son, Ken O. Jakobi of Ft. Myers, FL; 1 daughter, Julie A. Jakobi of Ft. Myers, FL; 4 Grandchildren, Ashley, Shawn, Josephine and Dylan Opheim all of Iowa; 2 great grandchildren Meredith and Lillian Reynolds;1 sister, Marie Thomas of Portage, IN; and cousin Sharon Jakobi of Sun City Center, FL. Besides his parents, Otto is preceded in death by his brother Fred Jakobi. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to http://www.alz.org/ (Alzheimer's Association) Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home.

Otto E. Jakobi

July 24, 1935 - August 15, 2016