Joseph G. Schutter

Joseph George “Joe” Schutter passed away the morning of August 2nd, 2026. He was born in Batesville Indiana on June 4th, 1931 to the late Agnes and Joe Schutter. At the age of five his parents moved to Morris Indiana where he attended St. Anthony grade school. Upon graduating grade school in 1945, that fall he entered St.Meinrad Seminary for a year, then went on to Batesville High School. A few months into his junior year of high school his parents moved to Fowler Indiana. It was there where he finished off his high school years at Fowler high school. Joseph graduated in the class of 1949.

Shortly thereafter he returned to St. Meinrad Seminary until early 1950 when he joined the Navy. In 1952 while he was a naval cadet at Pensacola Florida taking pre-flight training he became ill and had to undergo surgery.This illness caused him to eventually be released onto inactive duty.

Soon after returning home, Joseph went to work for the Oliver Farm Machinery Dealer. In 1954 he went on to purchase the Oliver Dealership, known as Fowler Oliver Sales. Joseph dedicated himself to the Oliver Dealership business for 50 years until 2004 when he retired.

Joseph got married to his first wife Mary Jo Schutter (Morgan) on January 28th, 1956 at Sacred Heart Church in Fowler. They experienced marriage alongside each other for 50 years before she passed away in November of 2006. A few years later in June of 2008 he went on to marry the late Janet Schutter (Freeland Greives) in Otterbein.

Joseph Schutter was a member of Sacred Heart Church of Fowler and was the past president of the men's association of Sacred Heart. He later joined St. Charles Church in Otterbein. He was the Chief Ranger of the Catholic Order of Foresters in 1962 for one year. In the late 1950’s he began coaching little league baseball until 1968. In 1966 and 1967 he represented the midwest dealers on the Oliver Corporational National Dealer Advisory Council. While his sons were young he was assistant Cubmaster and then Webelos Scout Leader. From 1980 to 1984 he was on the Board of Directors of Beverly Farm Foundation in Godfrey, Illinois. He was a member of the American Legion for over 75 years. Joseph was also a member 40 + 8 and the Knights of Columbus. Joe loved sports, especially softball, baseball, basketball, horseshoe pitching, and bowling. He greatly enjoyed traveling and visiting historical places. He loved to bring his children along on many of his trips.

Joseph is survived by his children, Annette (Matt) Oneal of Monticello, IL, Jim (Trina) Schutter of Fowler, IN, Tony (Christy) Schutter of Battleground, IN, and Emily McDaniel of Pine Village, IN; sister, Maryann Schellenberger of West Lafayette, IN ; grandchildren, Joe, Amy, Ashley, Andrew, Brad, Sarah, Austin,Paige, Landon, Marybeth; 18 great-grandchildren; Janet’s children, Bob (Pam Jones) Grieves of West Lafayette, IN, Barbara Shaw of Blue Ridge GA, Julie (Matthew) Richard of Cullman, AL; grandchildren, Matthew, Bradley, Ryan, Kyle, Jillian. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Virgil and James Schutter, sisters Patricia Deboy and Sr. Alien Schutter, daughter Katie Schutter, and son-in-law Brian McDaniel.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 20th from 9:30 AM until a rosary service at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick's Church in Oxford. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM officiated by Father Duquain and Father Klemme. Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. To conclude the services there will be a celebration of life held next to the church in Parish hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Beverly Farms Foundation at Dr. Groves B. Smith Guardianship PO Box 715 Godfrey, IL 62035, or Benton County Catholic School Educational Trust, PO Box 25 Fowler, IN 47944. Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home of Oxford is honored to serve the Schutter family. Please leave memories and condolences at hahngroeberfuneralhome.com