John Vernon Suter

John Vernon Suter passed away peacefully on January 23, 2022, at the age of 88, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born to John and Rena (Guillory) Suter in Norfolk, Virginia, on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1933. His parents returned to New Orleans when he was two years old. John grew up in the Irish Channel and attended St. Aloysius High School, where he graduated in 1951. He was employed by Wausau Insurance Company for 40 years and retired in 1995 as a Regional Claims Manager. He was a member of the New Orleans Claims Association and the Mississippi Claims Association and was also a member of the Southern Association of Workers’ Compensation Administrators and is a past president of the New Orleans Claims Manager Council. He was also a member of the ILA local 1495 and worked part time as a sugar sampler and weigher on the river.

John loved to travel with his family and friends and enjoyed listening to 50’s music and watching LSU and Saints. He also enjoyed golf for many years and even scored a hole in one at the age of 78. He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his outstanding work ethic and creative wit and “Johnisms” that kept us all laughing. He was an active parishioner at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Metairie, where he served as an usher.

A special thank you to Dr. Kiran Zaveri for the care and compassion he has for his practice, his patients and their families. Also, a special thank you to Notre Dame Hospice for all the tender and compassionate care, especially from Deb, who went above and beyond her normal duties to care for all of us.

He is preceded in death by his mother Rena Guillory Leblanc, father John Wesley Suter, sister Jean F. Morrow and brother, Walton Leblanc. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Sylvia Dennies Suter; five children, Sharon Corso, Jay Suter (Bonnie), Steve Suter (Lisa), Charlene Wetzel (Paul), and Cheryl Lawrence (Dan); along with nine grandchildren, Rachel Huff (Stephen), Katie Jeziorski (D.J), Kristi Silvestri (Jim), Gabrielle Corso, Steven Suter, Scott Wetzel (Callie), Kerri Wetzel, Kyle Lawrence, and Carmen Wetzel; as well as five great-grandchildren, Liam, Camden, Amelia, Holden, and Avery as well as many beloved extended family members and friends.

Visitation will take place at 9:45 a.m. followed by a memorial mass at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 4, 2022, at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 6425 West Metairie Ave, Metairie, 70003 followed by inurnment in All Saint’s Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, please consider having a mass said in John's honor or make a donation to a Catholic charity in his name.