This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: SUTERKO, TOMCZYK, BARABAS, PLOURDE, KONWINSKI, SIGLER, ELLIOTT, SUSARREY, WALSH, PASOWICZ Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22640/mb.ashx Message Board Post: SUTERKO, Stanley Of Portage Our dear husband and father, Stan (known to many as Dave), passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2008. He was born December 30, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Anthony and Valerya (Tomczyk) Suterko. Stan graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS in Education and earned a Masters Degree from WMU. He served as a LTJG in the U.S. Navy during WWII on a sub-chaser in the Pacific Region. On November 25, 1948, he was wed to his beloved wife, Wanda (Barabas), who survives. He began his career at Hines V.A. Hospital, Hines, IL, where he helped establish the first Orientation and Mobility program for blinded veterans. He came to WMU in 1961 to aid in the establishment of the Blind Rehabilitation Department. He had a distinguished teaching career as he taught in England, Poland, Australia, France and many places in the United States. He received the highest honors of his profession culminating with his induction into The Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness F! ield in 2002. Stan was often referred to as "St. Peter of Mobility". He retired from WMU in 1984 as Professor Emeritus. Stan was a Charter Member of St. Catherine of Siena Church. Also surviving him are his three daughters and son-in-laws, Sandra (Gordon) Plourde, Williamston, MI, Diane (Richard) Konwinski, Portage, MI, Catherine (Robert) Sigler, Saline, MI; seven grandchildren, Justin and Scott Plourde, Nicole (Chad) Elliott, Ryan and Kyle Konwinski, Lauren and John Sigler; one great granddaughter: Cassady Plourde; brother-in-laws, Jack Susarrey and Chester (Marion) Barabas; sister-in-laws, Ann Walsh and Lorraine Pasowicz; many nieces, nephews and special friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, Anthony. The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 13th from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM Monday at St. Catherine of Siena Church (1150 W. Centre St.), ! Portage, MI. with Father Kevin Covert, presiding. Memorial Luncheon wi ll be served following the mass. A burial with full military honors will take place 11 AM Tuesday at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI. Memorials may be sent to St. Catherine of Siena Church Endowment Fund or the Michigan Foundation for the Blind and Visually Impaired. 269-343-1508 www.langelands.com Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette from 4/11/2008 - 4/12/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.