Karen E. Sutton of Springfield departed her earthly life to be with her Lord and Savior at home Monday, October 10, 2022, following a three and a half year battle with cancer. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband of 54 years and 54 days, Carroll, her daughter Julie of Springfield and son Brent of Chatham, and her darling Oreo, a Border Collie.
Karen was born May 29, 1947 in Springfield to Byron “Bookie” Salzman and Dorothy Corven Salzman, who preceded her in passing along with her brother Lou Salzman of Oak Park, and both sets of grandparents.
Karen graduated from Springfield High School in 1965 with Carroll. She then attended Brown’s Business College. She and Carroll later worked together on nine of their SHS class reunions.
She retired in 2002 from the Illinois Department of Public Health, after a career in Data Processing. Karen really enjoyed bowling and was really good at it until her knees wouldn’t let her continue. She was a league secretary in a couple of leagues.
In later years she and Carroll travelled to National Mustang Shows from coast to coast showing their Mustang(s). Her attention to detail “you missed a spot”, helped them bring home a lot of awards. Her work in the Tally Room while Carroll was judging cars was greatly appreciated by the Judging Secretary(s) she worked with. Always an avid reader, once she discovered the Kindle, she seemed to be either reading or working a jigsaw puzzle on hers whenever she had a spare moment.
Services include a visitation at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road, on Saturday, October 15 from 11:30AM to 2:00PM, with a brief memorial service immediately following, Rev. Keith Anderson officiating. Remains were cremated. The family requests casual attire at the visitation and service.
Donations in her memory may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital, 4400 Clayton Blvd, St. Louis, MO. 63110; Springfield’s Animal Protective League, where her “Million Dollar” Oreo came from; or the American Cancer Society.
