James Robert "Soap" Sutherlin, 69, of Olney died Wednesday August 13, 1997 at his residence.  His body was cremated.  Memeorial service at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home with Rev. Charles McDonald officiating.

Sutherlin was born October 23, 1927 in Richland County, the son of Everett O. Sr. and Lulu Mae (Richardson) Sutherlin. He married Wilma I. Nehring in June 1951.

He was a brick mason for 50 years and a bus driver for East Richland School district for many years. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of Immanuel United Methodist Church, VFW, American Legion, Olney Elks and served on the Richland County Farm and Fair Board for many years.

He is survived by his wife; one son, Henry Owen Sutherlin of Urbana; two daughters, Nancy Marie Sutherlin of Labanon and Ruth Ellen Bruner and her husband, Charles E. of Huntington, Ind.; one sister, Evelyn Tammany of Olney; one grandchild, Joseph A. Bruner; one niece.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, James Robert Sutherlin II, two brothers and two sisters.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)