Sudermann, John J. (1934-2000)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2000 Feb 10 p. 11

Birth date: 1934 May 28

text of obituary:

JOHN J. SUDERMANN

John J. Sudermann, 65, of Denver, died at his home on or about Dec. 26, 1999.

John was born in Goshen, Ind., May 28, 1934. About age 13, he began to develop symptoms of schizophrenia, a condition that would continue to the end of his life. In spite of this handicap, he graduated from Hesston (Kan.) High School in 1951, completed two years of study at Goshen College, and served from 1953 to 1955 in Pax, building homes for war refugees in Germany.

In 1956 John entered Beatty Memorial Hospital in Westville, where he spend 11 of the next 14 years. After final release from the hospital in 1969, John lived in the South Bend-Goshen area until 1981, working mainly as a custodian at Notre Dame, Sears, and for 10 years at Goshen College. In 1981 he moved to Denver. there he worked for six years at Goodwill Industries. He was a long-term client and volunteer at the Summit Center mental health clubhouse in Wheatridge, a Denver suburb. During the last few years he served mainly as a volunteer at St. Anthony Central Hospital. He was a member of First Mennonite Church in Denver.

John is survived by his mother, Hilda Sudermann Martin of Goshen; a sister, Annemarie of California; and two brothers, Paul of Florida and David of Minnesota.

A memorial service was held at the First Mennonite Church in Denver. A second service, at the College Mennonite Church in Goshen, is planned for June.