Dolores "Dee" (Eck) Sutherland

Dolores “Dee” (Eck) Sutherland, age 88, of Casey, IL passed away quietly on August 24, 2021 after a long struggle with dementia.  Her two living children were by her side as she passed into eternity.  

Dee was a very opinionated yet simple woman; she was born in Chicago, IL on October 3, 1932 the daughter of Harold Vincent Eck and Lettie Ruth (Matheny) Eck.  She was raised in Casey, IL; as an isolated farm child she walked to school and played alone on the family farm.  On December 5, 1950 she married Jack E. Sutherland and together they were blessed with three children, Stephen C. Sutherland (Deborah), Jeffrey Lee Sutherland (Carmencita) and Yvonne Sutherland Creekbaum (George).  

The family moved throughout the country and South East Asia, settling in Terre Haute, IN.  Dolores was an amazing mother; she allowed her children to experience Asia with the freedom that would tax most parents today.  She was always there to help her children process the sights, sounds and negative and positive experiences of Asia at the time.  She took charge when they left Saigon, Vietnam and directed them to Hong Kong and then on to Taipei, Taiwan returning to Casey, IL in 1969.  Dolores' husband, Jack worked for the United States A.I.D. program; after his time in Vietnam he was assigned to Germany.  

Dee was a 1950 graduate of Casey High School.  She continued her education and obtained her master’s degree from Indiana State University.  She was employed as Dietary Director of Clay County Hospital until her retirement.  

Dee loved gardening, reading, knitting and was comfortable spending time alone.  She especially enjoyed time with her dog and her grandchildren.  Dee loved her grandchildren dearly, Morgan Woolley (Matt), Evan Sutherland (Stephanie), Stephen Sutherland (Amy), Natalie Currin (Brian) and her great grandchildren, Maia, Brenan and Jack.  

Dee was preceded in death by her father, Harold Vincent Eck; mother, Lettie Ruth (Matheny) Eck Oakley; stepfather, Everett Oakley; husband, Jack Sutherland; son, Jeffrey Sutherland; and dog, Charlie.

Funeral services will be conducted at 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at Markwell Funeral Home with Pastor Rick May officiating.  Burial will follow in Macedonia Cemetery, rural Casey, IL.  Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday morning prior to the service at Markwell Funeral Home, 200 N. Central Ave., Casey, IL. Per CDC guidelines, face coverings are required. Please also maintain social distancing.   

Memorial donations may be made to Terre Haute Animal Shelter, PO Box 3307, Terre Haute, 47803 or Doctors Without Borders USA, PO Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741. 

The Sutherland family would like to thank the caring staff and clients of Towne Park Assisted Living, Brazil, IN and Hospice of the Wabash Valley, Terre Haute, IN.    

To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle or post photos, visit www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Markwell Funeral Home of Casey, IL is in charge of the arrangements.

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