Michael Sutter, 81

Michael Raymond Sutter, “Mike”, age 81, passed away at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis on July 26, 2025, after a brave and tenacious battle with Parkinson’s Disease and COPD. Mike was born on October 15, 1943 in Detroit to Raymond and Margaret (Kennedy) Sutter. Mike attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School and graduated in 1961. He was a gifted athlete graduating with 12 varsity letters with four each in baseball, football, and basketball. He went on to attend Western Michigan University and graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature / Secondary Education.

Mike possessed an endless work ethic, was a devout Catholic, and had a strong devotion to his family, particularly the “kids” in his life. His passions included entrepreneurship, gardening, dancing, poetry, coaching, teaching, mentoring, ice cream, and giving back to his community through public service. He has forever been and will forever be a fan of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, and Western Michigan Broncos.

After graduating from Western Michigan, Mike started his career teaching and coaching in Mendon. However, he had a vibrant will and drive as an entrepreneur owning and operating multiple businesses over his years including Sentry Janitorial and Snowplow Service, The Crossroads Restaurants, and later in his career after working at Harter Corporation as an Industrial Relations Manager, owning and operating Michiana Laminated Products.

His true passion, however, was volunteering his time and serving his community… and he always had his hands in politics. He was elected, appointed, hired and volunteered for many positions over the years. His enthusiasm for public service and serving his community was apparent to the many organizations he was involved with, including but not limited to, serving as a: Member of Junior Achievement, Co-Founder and President of St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation, Executive Member and President of the Kalamazoo / St. Joseph Michigan Works!, State President of Michigan Works!, Member, Vice President, and President LaGrange County Regional Utility District, St. Joseph County Road Commissioner, Member of the Kalamazoo – St. Joseph County Private Industry Council, Member of the Economic and Community Development for Shipshewana, LaGrange County and Northeast Indiana, as a City of Sturgis Commissioner for 8 years, as a St. Joseph County Commissioner for 8 years (serving as Chairman of the Physical Resource Committee, on the Executive Committee, and as a Board Member of Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph District Health Department), Sanilac County Administrator from 2001 – 2002, Wexford County Administrator / Controller from 2003 – 2006, and Town Manager of Shipshewana from 2012 – 2017 after which he retired.

In retirement he was a member of the Steuben County Council on Aging – Heritage Club and served on the Finance Council for St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Mike continued his journey volunteering his time up through the last year of his life resigning from his last position as a member of the Angola Board of Zoning Appeals in November of 2024.

Surviving are his sons Stephen (Renay) Sutter, Matthew (Laura) Sutter, stepdaughters Lara (Mark) Evans, Emily (Casey) Calhoun, and Abby Calvin, stepson Cory Calvin, sisters Anne Marie Gresehover, Monica Currie, sister in-law Rosemary Sutter, brother and sister in-law Tony (Elaine) Sutter, and many nieces and nephews. He was “Poppie” to Taylor, Julia, Sarah, Ashley, Erica, Addison, Hayden, Sydney, Breanna and Brandon.

Mike was preceded in death by the love of his life, best friend, forever dance partner, and his rainbow Melanie (Calvin) Sutter, his parents, his favorite aunt and uncle (godfather) Mary (Louis “Ross”) AuBuchon, brother Francis “Fritz” Sutter, and brothers-in-law Ray Kaszubowski, and Bob Gresehover.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Angola, Indiana with Reverend Andrew Raczkowski celebrant. Interment will follow at West Franklin Cemetery in West Unity, Ohio.

Family will receive friends at the Beams Funeral Home in Fremont, Indiana, on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, and at the church on Saturday morning one hour before the funeral Mass. Family and friends are invited to attend the evening Vigil Service on Friday at 7:00 PM, at the Beams Funeral Home.

A special thanks is extended to those at Thurston Woods Village and Cameron Health Family Medicine in caring, sharing, praying, and assisting Mike during his journey through Parkinson’s Disease, including Sarah, Gretchen “Bubbles”, Fanesse, Virginia, Sharon, Toya, Sheri, Autumn, Clayton, Julie, Lizzy, Robyn, Mary, Deb, Rich, Heidi, Dr. O, and Megan.

Although Mike loved being surrounded by and planting his flowers, please consider a contribution in his memory and for his fight with Parkinson’s Disease to the Parkinson’s Fund through the Cameron Foundation at Cameron Health or the YMCA of Steuben County – Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s.