Donald J. Suter

SANDUSKY – Donald J. Suter, 82, of Sandusky, passed away Friday, January 25, 2019 at his home after a long courageous battle with cancer.

   He was born in Sandusky to Elsie Assenheimer and Harold E. Suter, Sr and resided in Sandusky his entire life.  He graduated from Sandusky High School in 1954 and attended Bowling Green State University graduating in 1958 with a BS in Business Administration.  Don served in the OH National Guard from 1958 until he retired his commission in 1966.  Don retired from Ford Motor Company, Sandusky Plant, in 1993 after 30 years of service as an Area Manufacturing Manager in Lamp Assembly.

   On August 29, 1964, Don married his wife of 54 years, Sharron Scott at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Sandusky.  They enjoyed many years of boating and spending most weekends at Kelleys Island with friends and family.   They also cruised many summers, going into Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.  They were also past members of the Sandusky Yacht Club and Huron Yacht Club.  Don started boating in high school and continued while at BGSU.  He was the crew on the yacht “ITCH V” for a total of 8 years.

   Don and Sharron attended many Indy 500 races, the first being in 1969 when Mario Andretti won his only 500 race.  Attending Cleveland Browns games with his son, Scott, and other friends was also a highlight of his life.  He loved the Browns and enjoyed the tailgating before the games.

   His greatest love was baseball, having pitched in all leagues available in his youth, including , American Legion.   He often told the story of a game he pitched and Bob Feller was standing behind him on the mound umpiring.  In 1965 after retirement, Don and Sharron started a ten year period of spending winters in Winter Haven, Fl., attending the Cleveland Indians spring training games.  That was something he always wanted to do, and it even turned Sharron into a total Cleveland Indians fan.

   After retirement, Don also became a self-taught woodworker.  Together they created a business “Sharron’s Crafts,” building various wood creations.  This resulted in a business association with an Amish merchant in Millersburg, OH, who bought everything they could supply for almost 20 years.  This only ended with Don’s latest bout with cancer.

   Don is survived by his wife, Sharron, his grandchildren, Sarah Suter and Alex (Erin) Suter and great-grandson, Henry, and in February, Alex and Erin will give birth to his great-granddaughter.  Don is also survived by two sisters in Texas, Judy (Bill) Knoll and Delores Uhri.

   Don’s family would like to express their utmost gratitude to all their family, friends, and neighbors, who have supported them through this difficult time,  with special thanks to everyone at North Coast Cancer Center and especially Dr. Murphy.  Thanks also to everyone who assisted us from Stein Hospice and made it possible for Don to stay at home during his illness so his wife and loving dog “Smokey” could look after him as he wished.

   Cremation has taken place and there will be a private family Service of Remembrance at Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, Huron.

   In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, 44870 in Don’s memory so more people can benefit from their services.

   Online condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com.

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