Von Sutterfield

Von Sutterfield was born on a farm southwest of Prague in Pottawatomie County, May 12, 1916, to William S. and Dulsena (Kelley) Sutterfield, he departed this life Saturday, May 17, 2008, at his home in Prague, at the age of 92. 
Von was raised in the Prague area and graduated from Prague High School in 1934.       
On August 14, 1940, he married Eloita Spitler of Meeker.
After his marriage Von and Eloita engaged in his farming operation in the Turner community, southwest of Prague, where they lived until his retirement from farming. He enjoyed agriculture work, tilling the soil, tending his crops, caring for the livestock and later his John Deere tractors. In his later years, Von transferred his interest in agriculture to lawn care and was meticulous about the appearance of his yard.
While on the farm, Von attended Pleasant Home Baptist Church. For forty years he attended and served the church. His greatest enjoyment came from leading congregational singing during Sunday services. Von was a naturally talented musician and was able play a variety of instruments with virtually no formal training.
In 1957 Von began part time employment with the State Department of Agriculture in the Marketing Division. In 1964 he became a full time Federal Inspector for the State of Oklahoma. Once again he was working with the farming community and made a wide circle of friends in his almost 24 years of service.
In 1987 he united with the First Baptist Church of Prague and was an active member until his health began to fail.
Von was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ressie Cox, Jessie Emerson, an infant sister; five brothers, Lawton, Farnum, Herbert, Meade and Dedge; two nephews, Loy Sutterfield and Claud Cox; a great nephew, Ryan Emerson; and a great niece, Angela Emerson.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Eloita Sutterfield of the home; nephews, Howard Emerson of Brea, Calif., Ronald Sutterfield Harris of Phoenix, Ariz., Kenneth Spitler of Houston, Texas, Wayne Guinn of Las Vegas, Nev., Jerold Guinn of St. George, Utah, and Gregory Guinn of Tulare, Calif.; nieces, Avis Jean VanZant of Prague, Maxine Lokey of Prague, Loretta Rice of Guthrie, Idabelle Jones of Morgan Hill, Calif., and Linda Spitler St. Onge of Houston. Texas; great-nephews, Randall Lokey of Yukon, Ron Lokey of McAlester, Doug Lokey of Prague, Jay VanZant of Prague, Rick Rice of Guthrie, and Jack Emerson of Brea, Calif.; great-nieces, Lana Dunn of Stafford, Va., Connie Hickstein of Guthrie, Janel Jones, Sharon Jones and Cynthia J. Arvedo, all of Morgan Hill, Calif.; 21 great-great nieces and nephews; great-great-great nieces and nephews, Logan, Conner and Caleb of Oklahoma and 14 others in California; and many special friends.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church of Prague with Bro. Tim Emmons officiating. Burial will follow at Prague Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague.
A guest book is available to share your memories on-line. Please visit www.ParksBrothers.net.