James E. Sutter, 66, passed away at 10:34 p.m. Thursday, September 17, 2015 at his home in Shumway.

A time of remembrance will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, September 27, 2015 at the Shumway Kluthe Building with a prayer service to begin at 3:00p.m. Memorials may be made to the Shumway Kluthe Building. Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.bauerfh.com.

James was born December 27, 1948 in Effingham County, the son of Henry E. and Barbara (Haslett) Sutter. He married Jeanne E. Flack on June 3, 1972 and she survives. James served on the Shumway Volunteer Fire Department for 39 years; 15 of those years, he served as fire chief. James was on the Shumway Village Board, Shumway Fall Festival Committee, was a Fire Trustee, participated with the Shumway Kluthe Building Project, as well as various other community projects and committees. He enjoyed spending time with his family going fishing, hunting, attending truck pulls and auctions, and was always there to lend a helping hand.

James is survived by his wife, Jeanne of Shumway; children, Michael (Tanis) Sutter of Shumway, Jamie (Philip) Hardiek of Dieterich, Edward (Krystal) Sutter, Steven (Leslie) Sutter and Melissa (Richard) Milanec, all of Shumway; mother, Barbara of Shumway; four sisters, Margaret (Joe) Hardiek, Donna (Darrell) Durbin, Quen "Shorty" (Larry) Hardiek and Linda (Craig) Moore; two brothers, Morris Sutter and Tracy Sutter; nine grandchildren also survive.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Edward; grandson, James Thomas Fisher Sutter and brother-in-law, Brian Sapp.