VERSAILLES

Robert R. “Soap” Sutherlin, 76, of Versailles, passed away Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015, at his home.

Born Oct. 5, 1938, in Lebanon, he was the son of Roscoe and Josephine Byrd Sutherlin.

Mr. Sutherlin was a 1956 graduate of Versailles High School and received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University in 1961. He served with the U.S. Army as an engineer from 1962 to 1964 and with the U.S. Army Reserves until 1968. In his civilian career, Soap worked as an area construction engineer with the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Seymour District for 43 years, retiring in 2004.

He was a life member of the American Legion Post at Versailles, where he had held all offices, and was also past district adjutant for the American Legion. He most recently served as the bugler for all military funerals. Soap was an avid follower of Purdue basketball and had bowled in leagues at Pollard’s Bowl in Versailles for 43 years.

Survivors include a son, Brandon Palmer of Indianapolis; two daughters, Leslie Palmer of Louisville, and Angel Palmer of Versailles; three grandchildren, Chase Richards, Julia Puig and Finley Josephine Palmer; a brother, Larry (Sue) Sutherlin of Versailles; a sister, Joyce (Jim) Samples of Versailles; nephews, David (Leslie) Sutherlin of Milan and Doug (Loreana) Sutherlin of Sellersburg; three nieces, Nicole (Chris) Wiedeman of Cincinnati, Kerry (Mark) McConnell of Delaware, and Debbie (Andy) Holbrook of Fort Wayne.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with the Rev. Mike Cantrell of Versailles Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Cliff Hill Cemetery with military graveside rites performed by the Versailles American Legion.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made in care of the funeral home to Versailles American Legion.