Earl Levi Sutter

Earl Levi Sutter, age 95, died peacefully in the presence of family at Waterford Crossing, Goshen, IN on November 29th, 2025. He was born October 27, 1930, in Hopedale, IL to Levi and Alma (Nafziger) Sutter. He married Margaret Kauffman in Middlebury, IN on June 27, 1953.

He received a bachelor’s degree from Goshen College and Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Illinois State University. He served as a classroom teacher, an elementary school principal (10 years) and Superintendent of Schools (23 years). He served as the Superintendent of Churchville Schools (Elmhurst, IL) for  4 years and as Superintendent of Mount Prospect District #57 Public Schools (Mt. Prospect, IL) for nearly 17 years.

Earl was an active member of the Mennonite Church, both at the local and conference levels in Illinois and Indiana. For the last 30+ years he has been a member of the Eighth St. Mennonite Church, Goshen, IN. Community service included as a member of the Human Relations Commission for the City and the Kiwanis Club of Bloomington, IL, the Finance Committee of the Village of Mount Prospect, IL, and member, secretary and president of the Mount Prospect Rotary Club. He was instrumental in piloting the Head Start program in the Bloomington, IL Schools in the 1960’s. In retirement, he served on numerous boards and committees including the Chicago Mennonite Learning Center, Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, and Hope Rescue Mission, South Bend, IN. 

He was a member of the National Education Association, National Elementary School Principals, the Association of Superintendent of Schools and Phi Delta Kappa. Earl enjoyed learning, history, family genealogy, the National Parks (especially the Grand Canyon), boating and water skiing, the Cubs and Bulls, and travel. In his lifetime Earl traveled to all 50 states, 62 countries and six continents, often with Margaret, other family or friends. He was deeply committed to family. He always enjoyed catching up with his children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and related spouses and great-grandchildren and was known for his probing questions, listening ear, life encouragement and wit.  His interest in genealogy and history inspired him to write the historical fiction book of his family’s story, “The Land is All,” published in 2018.   

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret (December 23, 2019), his parents, ten siblings and an infant grandson. His surviving children are Nancy (Eric) Leggett of Plainfield, IL, David (Janice) Sutter of South Bend, IN, and Debra (Greg) Drescher of Middletown, Virginia.  He has six grandchildren, Erin Leggett, Julia (Daniel) O’Brian, Luke (Jennifer Pierce) Drescher, Rachel Drescher, Benjamin (Grace) Parker Sutter, and Brian (Jessica Gotwals) Sutter and six great grandchildren (Franklin Sablan, Lily O’Brian, Simeon Parker Sutter, Luke Sutter, Miles Parker Sutter, and Lydia Sutter).   

Memorials should be directed to the Levi and Alma Sutter Scholarship Fund at Goshen College. A Visitation and Celebration of Life service will be held at Eighth St. Mennonite Church, 602 S. Eighth St, Goshen, IN on Saturday, January 10th.  The Visitation will occur from Noon-1:30 p.m. and the Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Brenda Paetkau officiating.  The service will be followed by a meal in the lower-level fellowship hall. Burial will be at Violett Cemetery, Goshen, IN. Elkhart Cremation Service are handling the arrangements

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