Sandra A. "Sandy" Sutter

Sandra A. “Sandy” Sutter, 85, formerly of Highland, IL, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at her residence in Imperial, MO.

She was born on October 10, 1940, in East St. Louis, IL, to Ralph and Myrtle (nee Reeder) Shellito. Sandy grew up in East St. Louis before moving, where she graduated from Belleville East High School in 1959 and later became a certified surgical technician. In October of 1978, Sandy married Robert “Bob” Sutter in Columbia, IL.

For 15 years, Sandy worked as a surgical tech, first at HSHS St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville, IL, and then at HSHS St. Joseph Hospital in Highland, IL, retiring in 2005. Sandy and her husband were proud residents of Highland, IL from March of 1979 until 2000.

Although she was raised in the Catholic tradition, Sandy’s faith journey lead her (and her husband) to follow the beliefs of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. They were active members in the Community Bible Church in Swansea, IL where Sandy taught Ladies Bible Study for 45 plus years. She evangelized to many, even in “chance” encounters.

Sandy found a variety of ways to share her creativity with others. In addition to enjoying woodworking, where she refinished old furniture and made birdhouses that replicated barns, she had a gift for growing and gardening flowers, often being called the “Crazy Plant Lady”. She also enjoyed sewing, crafting, drawing & painting.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Sutter; parents, Ralph and Myrtle Shellito; 3 brothers; and 3 sisters.

Sandy is survived by her daughter, Sarah (Scott) Olson, Rock Island, IL; sons, David Wild, Farmington, MO, and Glenn (Sarah) Wild, Imperial, MO; grandchildren, Madeline Jane Olson, Samantha JoAnn Olson, Allen (Heather) Wild, and Matthew Rusteberg; great grandchildren, Zoe Wild and Zaden Wild; and many nieces and nephews. Sandy was a loving and caring woman of faith who will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Salvation Army.

Visitation: Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 9:30 to 11:30 am, at Community Bible Church, Swansea, IL

Funeral Service: Thursday, February 12, 2026, 11:30 am, at Community Bible Church, Swansea, IL

Clergy: Pastor Steven Rogier

A luncheon will be held at the church immediately following services on the 12th.

Interment: Friday, February 13, 2026, 10:00 am, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL