Obit: Susa, Cletus F. (1920 - 2003)
Transcribed by Kipp Kippenhan

----Source: Wednesday, December 3, 2003 edition of the Tribune - Record - Gleaner

Cletus Susa

Cletus F. Susa, 83, Greenwood, died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, at the Clark County Health Care Center, Owen. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard. The Rev. Joseph Follmar officiated. Burial was in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Greenwood. Military rites were conducted by the Greenwood American Legion Post #238. Pallbearers were Eric Kind, Randy Susa, Rick Houle, Louie Herbert, Ray Lawrence, and John Freudigmann.

Cletus Francis Susa was born April 13, 1920 in Greenwood, to John Sr. and Dora (nee Bautch) Susa. He was raised and educated in the Greenwood area, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1938. After completing his schooling, he worked in the C.C.C. camps at Perkinstown for a few years, and then moved to Chicago. In Chicago, he worked in a machine shop with tools and dies for several years. On May 30, 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served overseas in the Pacific Theater. He fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima, for which he received the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged on May 22, 1946. He returned to Chicago for a couple of years and then moved back to the Greenwood area in 1948. He married Joan Herrick on May 29, 1949 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard. They later divorced. He farmed in Greenwood until 1961, and also operated the Legion Bar for a short time. He sold the farm and bought the White House Inn Bar, Willard, in 1961. He owned and operated the bar until July, 1975, at which time he sold the bar and bought back his original farm. He resided on the farm until entering the Clark County Health Care Center in September, 2003. He was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard, and the Greenwood American Legion Post #238. His interests included tinkering on his farm, dancing, and watching football.

Survivors include three children, Gail (Rick) Houle, Durham, N. Carolina, Randy (Ree) Susa, Willard, and Sheila (Veri) Kind, Neillsville; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Giles Susa Sr., Greenwood; one sister-in-law, Irene Susa, Greenwood; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and two brothers, John Susa, Jr. and James Susa.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, assisted the family with arrangements.