Michael G. Sutterfield (71) of Effingham

Michael G. Sutterfield, 71, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Monday, July 12, 2021 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

As per Michael’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to Effingham County FISH. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Michael was born on May 4, 1950, in Chicago, IL, the son of Gene and Betty Sutterfield. Michael was, first and foremost, a big brother and protector of his two younger siblings, Patrick (Holly) and David (Marilyn), who survive. He adored his 4’11” mother and his lanky 6’ father was his hero, both of whom preceded him in death. That said, he made defiance of authority an art form, doing such harebrained acts as blowing off fireworks in the crowded high school cafeteria, a moment of glory documented by his friends in his yearbook and never spoken of by his parents. His rapier wit, good looks and charm landed him Karen Wong as his wife, but even she had her limits and they parted childless, with neither of them to wed again. Michael quickly mastered anything he tried, sitting first chair saxophone at a high school of 3,600 students and having the ability at 5’6” to stuff a 16” softball in a basketball hoop. A brilliant but aimless student, grades of C were his hallmark while scoring in the 99% percentile in his college entrance exams. Michael was a Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League in his early 30’s and, in his grown-up moments, was a dedicated Little League coach who took the lesser skilled players under his wing. A visit was, to his nephews Kevin Schneider (Keelin) and Keith Sutterfield (Rebecca), an encounter with a one-man carnival. Predictably unpredictable and fiercely loyal, he fought death hard when it came knocking at his door ten years after a devastating stroke because that is who he was – the little guy ready to go toe-to-toe with anything life brought his way. He’ll be missed.