Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Sutherland, Merle 2003
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net June 4, 2011, 12:43 pm

Ionia Sentinel Standard, February 18, 2003

Merle Sutherland, Jr., 76, of Lake Odessa, passed away Monday, Feb. 17, 2003, 
after a lengthy illness.

Merle was born in Lake Odessa on Feb. 2, 1927, to Merle and Myrtle (Schlappi) 
Sutherland.  He began working at an early age cutting ice on Jordan Lake, and 
went on to work at the Lake Odessa Canning Co., installed roofing and siding, 
worked for the Pere Marquette and C and O Railroad, served a term in the 
Merchant Marines, and then retired from General Motors in 1980 with 30 years of 
service.

Along with his regular employment, Merle also hauled trash in Lake Odessa, 
worked for the Village of Lake Odessa, worked at the Lake Odessa Livestock 
Auction, and did odd jobs for many years.  Merle was a 24-year veteran of the 
Lake Odessa Fire Department, where he had served as captain for 16 years.  He 
was an avid sportsman, hunter, and fisherman and helped organize the Lake 
Odessa Sportsman Club.

Merle enjoyed traveling along with all of his other activities until his health 
no longer permitted.  He was a long-time member of the National Rifle 
Association and the Lake Odessa Congregational Church.  Merle will long be 
remembered as a loving husband and father.  In all that he did, he was firm and 
always fair.

Merle is survived by Janette, his loving wife whom he married on Oct. 16, 1948; 
his sons, Sam Sutherland of Ionia, and Joel (Kelley) Sutherland of Lake Odessa; 
grandsons, Jason (Nicole) of Charlotte, Eric (Sunshine) of Hastings, Merwin 
(Rachel) of Lake Odessa, and Chris of Lake Odessa; granddaughter, Sasha of 
Grand Rapids; step-granddaughter, Holly Barrett of Sheridan; seven great-
grandchildren; sisters, Alma Kruger of Woodland and Zondra Mikulen of Florida; 
brothers, Milo Sutherland of Tenn., Leon (Gloria) Sutherland of Woodland, and 
John (Linda) Sutherland of Eaton Rapids; sister-in-law, Lucille (Robert) 
Walter; and many other relatives and friends.

In keeping with Merle’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral 
service.  A Celebration of Merle’s life will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on 
Saturday, at the Jackson-Mutschler VFW Post 4661 in Lake Odessa.  The family 
has suggested that memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Odessa Fire 
Department, the Lakewood Community Ambulance, or First Congregational Church of 
Lake Odessa.  Arrangements were made by the Koops Funeral Chapel in Lake Odessa.


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