Cpl. Mark Otto

Cpl. Mark A. Otto, 48, of Freeport died Monday, February 24, 2014, in his home. Mark was born June 25, 1965 in Freeport, Illinois. Mark is the son of Dale R. and Eva Mae (Gitz) Otto. Mark married Lisa J. Wise December 23, 1991 in Freeport. In addition to his wife, Cpl. Otto is survived by his daughter, Breeana B. Otto; his son, Zachery T. Otto; six brothers; James Gitz of Freeport, Walter C. (Debra) Gitz of Freeport, Jeffrey (Peggy) Otto of Bowling Green, Ky., Stephen (Jacqueline) Otto of Rockford, Illinois, Dale (Chris) Otto, Jr. of Gross Pointe, Michigan and Bradley (Carol) Otto of Freeport; his sister, Marchia (Dave) Maney of Freeport. Also surviving are his two grandchildren, Toryn Alan Cain and Fallon Michael Spielman. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his stepson, Spc. Norman L. Cain III who died March 15, 2009 in Nangarhar, Afghanistan. A military veteran, he served from September 1984 to January 1987 as Security Forces in the United States Air Force. Mark started his police career in February of 1990, joining the Freeport Police Department. He was promoted to Corporal on June 3, 2001. He also volunteered as the Assistant Auxiliary Commander for the Freeport Auxiliary Police Unit. Mark served as a part time police officer with the Polo Police Department starting in 2008. He became a Stephenson County Deputy Sherriff in February 13, 2014, where he transported federal prisoners. Mark also served with the Freeport Park Police from June 1993 to June of 2013. Funeral services for Cpl. Otto will be Saturday, 10:00 A.M. at Park Hills Evangelical Free Church, Freeport. Rev. Dennis Jarrard, Chaplain of Freeport Police Department will officiate. Visitation will be Friday, 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home, Freeport. Burial will be in North Grove Christian Cemetery, rural Leaf River-Egan. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign the online guestbook