Robert Eugene Sutherby, Sr., 74, Newell, died Sunday, November 30, 2008, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center.

Committal services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2008, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with Pastor Tom Martin officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard.

Friends may gather at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis prior to leaving for the Cemetery.

Robert was born November 6, 1934, at Fenton, Michigan, to Lawrence and Thelma (Johnson) Sutherby. He attended country school and helped on the farm. He enlisted in the United State Marine Corps and after his discharge, he reenlisted in the US Navy. After serving his country, he returned to Michigan where he worked for a grain elevator.

Robert married Joanne Martens at Fenton, MI, in May of 1965.

Robert worked as a plumber and later found employment as a glazer installing glass on cars, houses, and commercial projects. He moved to Arizona in 1983 and was a groundskeeper and maintenance man for the Wickenburg Country Club.

He moved to Newell in June of 2008.

Robert enjoyed fishing, camping, and snowmachines.

Survivors include his wife, Joanne Sutherby, Newell; sons, Robert (Sherry) Sutherby, Jr., Atwood, TN, Michael (Terri) Slomkowski, Durand, MI, and Russell (Sherry) Sutherby, Mancelona, MI; daughters, Su-Ann Grambling, St. Charles, MI, Dawn (Tom) Dusek, Newell, and Robin (Jeff) Badinger, Mount Rose, MI; 18 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Daniel Slomkowski; one grandson, J. Slomkowski; and one sister, Thelma Mapes.