Mary Ellen Sutter

Mary Ellen Sutter, age 99, died at 3:47 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at Mercy Rehab and Care Center in Swansea.
She was born December 23, 1924 in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of the late Walter and Sarah (Wells) Smith. She had two sisters and five brothers, all of whom preceded her in death. Mary Ellen graduated from Junction City High School.
She was married to Edwin J. Sutter, DDS on February 14, 1947 at Fort Knox, KY. They moved to Chelsea, MI in 1947, where Ed set up his dental practice. They moved to O'Fallon in 1980 upon retirement. He preceded her in death on November 13, 2006.
Mary Ellen was an active person with many interests. In Chelsea she was a Girl Scout leader, a member of the American Legion Auxillary, a league bowler (and most important to her) a participant in her children's activities. In O'Fallon she took dulcimer lessons, played horseshoes at the Dandy Inn, worked at the Children's Shop at the mall and participated in her grandchildren's activities. Aside from being with her family, what she loved most was dancing. At the age of sixty-five she took tap dance lessons through PSOP and for the next thirty years was a member of the Silver Belles and a Beau dance group. She loved the weekly lessons, practices, performances and the strong friendship among the dancers.
Mary Ellen is survived by her daughters, Kathleen A. Mongiovi (Col, USAF, Ret) and Sharon Sutter of O'Fallon; her son, John (Maureen) A. Sutter of Iron River, MI; grandsons, Dr. Sean (Elizabeth) Greenhalgh of Naperville, IL and Andrew Greenhalgh of San Mateo CA; and great-grandchildren Evan, Lily and Elise of Naperville, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Belleville.
Per her wishes, her remains will be cremated and no visitation or service will be held.