Elderly man’s burned body found

OTTO TWP. — The badly-burned body of Jack A. Fielstra, 71, of Rothbury was found by Oceana County Sheriff’s deputies Thursday, Feb. 26, at 9:46 a.m. in an unattached garage that was heavily damaged by fire.

Deputies were dispatched to 8376 S. 116th Ave. to check on Fielstra’s well-being “and upon inspecting the interior of the garage found the badly-burned body of Mr. Fielstra,” states a press release issued by the sheriff’s office Thursday afternoon. “It is believed Mr. Fielstra was out, in and around the garage to blow snow. The origin of the fire is still under investigation and is of yet undetermined,” the press release states. “Friends and family who usually communicate with Mr. Fielstra on a daily basis had not heard from him and had grown concerned.”

The sheriff’s office believes the fire took place Wednesday, Feb. 25. No fire department was ever called, and the fire had burned out.