GyBill
07-03-2009, 02:41 PM
John F. Sutkus, Major USMC Retired, age 89, of Toledo, OH, died Wednesday, July 1, 2009, in The Toledo Hospital. Born in Toledo, son of John Sutkus and Agnes (Guildis) Morris, he graduated from Scott High School in 1937. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Idaho. Afterwards, he returned to Toledo and entered preflight training. After the outbreak of World War II, he entered Naval flight training receiving a commission in the United States Marine Corps. He participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima in February, 1945, remaining forever grateful to the two sailors of the USS Edmunds who hauled him out of the icy water after "the swim," a result of the sinking of the escort carrier USS Bismarck Sea by Kamikaze attack. He landed on the island on February 22, 1945, flying combat observation missions for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He went on to serve 21 years as a Marine, retiring in 1963 and returning to Toledo. He worked at Surface Combustion, retiring in 1981. He was preceded in death by Dorothy, his wife of 55 years. Surviving are children, John D. (Susan) of Orinda, CA, Sydney (Allen) Norman of Seattle, WA, and Lee (Faith) of Rochester, MI; brother, Daniel (Carol) of Toledo, OH, and grandchildren, Matthew and Emily Sutkus. Friends may call Sunday, July 5, 2009, at the Thomas I. Wisniewski Funeral Home, 2426 N. Reynolds Rd., 419-531-4424, from 2-8 p.m. with a Memorial Service at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society or the Semper FI fund are suggested.