NASHVILLE
Eugene (Gene) Charles Suding, age 90, of Nashville, Ind. passed away Thursday evening, Nov. 17, 2022 at the Brown County Health and Living Community.
Born Jan. 13, 1932 in Indianapolis, he was the son of Nicholas and Anna Matilda (Kohlman) Suding. Gene attended Little Flower Elementary School and graduated from Cathedral High School, both in Indianapolis. He went on to receive his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.
After graduating from Purdue University in 1955, he pursued his interest in building and designing diesel engines in a position with Cummins Engine Company. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany until 1957.
After his service, he returned to work for Cummins, followed by a position at International Harvester in Chicago, Ill. In 1958, he pursued a degree in philosophy while attending St. Mary’s College Seminary in Saint Mary, Ky., and continued his studies at St. Maur’s Seminary in South Union, Ky. where he completed his masters in theology and was ordained a priest in May of 1965.
He served as a priest at St. Mary’s Church in Greensburg, Ind., and served the communities of several other parishes in Indiana. He left the active ministry in 1969. In 1970, he married Dolores (Dee) Blanford in Aurora, Ill., and by 1974 they had settled in Brown County, Indiana becoming members of St. Agnes Catholic Church.
From 1977 to 1987, he was the director of the Brown County Office of Family and Children, followed by his work as an environmental engineer for the State of Indiana.
Over the years, Gene planted thousands of trees, earning a registered tree farm designation from the State of Indiana for his Brown County property. Due to his significant contributions to conservation over the years, he was awarded several forestry awards.
Gene loved the outdoors and enjoyed being on his farm and walking in the woods. He was a kind and generous soul that was happiest being with his family and friends. He never met a stranger, adapted to any environment, never passed up an opportunity to pet a dog, rooted for everyone (especially the underdog), sang along to any song, and was loved by all.
He enjoyed all of life’s gifts, shared its blessings, and never let the minor details get in the way of doing so. No doubt those in heaven will be as lucky to have him in their presence as those on earth were to have had him as a friend and confidant in their lives.
Gene is survived by his loving wife, Dee (Blanford) Suding, of Nashville, Ind., four children, Nicholas Suding, of Westville, Ind., Marie Suding, of Chicago, Ill., Paul (Kelli) Suding, of Nashville, Ind., and Ruth Ellen (Tim) Elinski, of Cottonwood, Ariz.; six grandchildren, Shelby, Abigayle, Grant, Natalie, Faye, and Lilah, one great-grandson, Niklaus, one brother, William J. Suding, of Edinburgh, Ind., and one sister-in-law, Jacque Suding, of Crystal Lake, Ill., and many nieces and nephews.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Robert Suding, and his nephew Robert Suding, Jr.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with Father Eric Johnson officiating. A visitation will be held beforehand at St. Agnes between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Burial of his remains will be private.
In lieu of sending flowers or gifts to the family, please consider a donation in his honor to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society in Brown County, Indiana (https://stvincentdepaulbrowncounty.com/), or to St. Agnes Catholic Church in Brown County, Indiana (https://stagnescatholicnashville.org/give-online). Online condolences may be given at www.BondMitchellFuneralHome.com.
