Suter, J. Early (1887-1967)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1967 Feb 2 p. 9

Birth date: 1887 Feb 7

text of obituary:

Church Leader Dies At Harrisonburg

Harrisonburg, Va. — Funeral services for Rev. J. Early Suter, 79, well-known retired minister and evangelist of the Virginia Mennonite Conference, were held Sunday, Jan. 22, at Weavers Mennonite Church here. He died Jan. 20 at the Virginia Mennonite Home.

Rev. Suter was ordained to the ministry in 1907. He served a number of churches of the Central District, including some years as pastor of the Gospel Hill Mennonite Church. For many years he also was active in evangelistic work in West Virginia.

He served on the first faculty of Eastern Mennonite School, and was one of the founders and early presidents of the Virginia Mennonite Property Aid Plan. He helped organize the Shenandoah Equipment Co. here and was associated with the firm for 25 years.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1967 Mar 16 p. 8

text of obituary:

REV. J. EARLY SUTER

Rev. J. Early Suter, 79, a prominent Mennonite minister and lifelong resident of Rockingham County, Virginia, died Jan. 20, 1967 at the Virginia Mennonite Home.

A son of the late John R. and Fannie Roudabush Suter, he was born on Feb. 7, 1887 in the New erection section of West Rockingham. He received his education from West Central Academy, Harrisonburg High School, and Goshen College, Goshen, Ind.

Rev. Suter was ordained a minister in the Mennonite Church on Aug. 11, 1907. During his long ministerial career he served many churches in the Central District of Virginia Mennonite Conference, including Gospel Hill Mennonite Church where he served as pastor for a number of years. He also was active in evangelistic work in West Virginia for many years.

He also served on the first faculty at Eastern Mennonite School and was one of the founders and early presidents of the Virginia Mennonite Property Aid Plan. He was associated for a period of 25 years with the Shenandoah Equipment Co., a business organization he helped to start.

On Oct. 9, 1907 he married Pearl Blosser, who preceded him in death on April 28, 1958.

He is survived by four children, Mrs. George R. Brunk of rural Harrisonburg, Mrs. Zack Turner of Broadway, Mrs. Frank Harman of rural Harrisonburg, and Rev. Daniel B. Suter of Park View; 15 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; one sister, Nettie E. Suter of rural Harrisonburg; five brothers, Homer R. and Meno R. Suter, both of rural Harrisonburg, Jacob C. and W. Tracy Suter, both of Park View, and Robert D. Suter of Harrisonburg; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, Jan. 22, from the Weaver Mennonite Church. Rev. DeWitt Heatwole, Rev. Chester K. Lehman, and Rev. Ralph Heatwole conducted the services, and burial was in the adjacent cemetery.