Theodore Wilson Sushka

Theodore "Ted" Wilson Sushka of Zionsville, IN, passed into the presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ, early Saturday morning, March 7, 2026, at the age of 83.

Ted was born to Theodore Louis and Elizabeth Scotka Sushka on August 28, 1942, in Martins Ferry, Ohio. He graduated from Martins Ferry High School in 1960 and attended Tri-State College, now Trine University, in Indiana, where he studied Civil Engineering. He was awarded an honorary degree from Trine in 2011 based on his professional accomplishments.

Ted began his career with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in their District 11 office in New Philadelphia. After passing his Professional Engineer's examination in 1967, he entered the state's Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Program. Upon completion in 1969, Ted moved to ODOT’s District 10 office in Marietta, where he obtained his Professional Engineer's license in 1970 and his Professional Surveyor’s license in 1973.

In February of 1970, Ted met the love of his life, Barbara Farnsworth, in Wheeling, WV. They married on July 5, 1970, in Wellsburg, WV, and combined their families of 3 kids - Lori Ware, Lou Sushka, and Bobbi Sushka, from their previous marriages. In 1973, their son Steven was born. Ted was a member of several local churches during his 40 years in Devola and Marietta, and he also served with the Salvation Army, the Marietta Noon Lions Club, and the Muskingum Valley Chapter of the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers.

During much of his tenure at ODOT, Ted was a Traffic Engineer, and he also ran his own property surveying business. In 1992, he was elected Washington County Engineer, serving from 1993 until his retirement in 2000. He and Barbara then enjoyed many winters in Florida as snowbirds. In 2009, Ted retired from his surveying practice and moved to Indiana to be near his son Steven’s family.

Ted’s most significant engineering accomplishments were the signalized intersection of SR 60 & 821 between Devola & Marietta as ODOT Traffic Engineer and the historic Putnam Street Bridge replacement as Washington County Engineer. His surveying footprints are also all over Devola, Marietta, and the surrounding area, such as Marshall Rd, where he last lived and built two houses, and the Devola Soccer Complex, among many others.

Ted was a man of faith, a committed husband and father, and a steadfast supporter of missionaries and people in need. He was also an extremely hard worker and the consummate engineer, both at work and at home, where he loved to tinker and fix things. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, golfing, playing cards, watching sports, and traveling in an RV. Ted also loved to cook. Making the turkey, dressing, and gravy for holiday meals was his passion.

Ted is survived by his sister Shirley Sushka; sister-in-law Libby Sushka; daughter Lori (Patrick) O’Maille; son Lou (Paula) Sushka; daughter Bobbi Tighe; and son Steven (Anne) Sushka. He has ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Elizabeth Sushka; his brother Bob Sushka; and his wife of 55 years, Barbara Sushka.

A visitation and memorial service will be held at Putnam Congregational Church in Devola, OH, on Saturday, March 21. Visitation starts at 12:00 pm and the service at 2:00 pm. A private burial service will immediately follow at Putnam Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Salvation Army.

Cawley & Peoples Funeral Homes is honored to serve Ted's family and offers online condolences and many other resources on their website, www.CawleyandPeoples.com, or through following their Facebook page.