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expanded eulogies

“In Memoriam” listings are expanded obituaries, phrased exactly as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.

Joseph Suderman

Dr. Joseph Suderman, D.O., 91, known to many through the years simply as Dr. Joe, died April 25, 2009, in Medicalodge Nursing Home, Dewey, Okla.

He was born to Henry and Katherine (Toews) Suderman Jan. 21, 1918, in Gotebo, Okla., and lived in North Enid, Ringwood, and Kremlin areas during his childhood. He then completed his undergraduate degree in pre-medicine at Tabor College, Hillsboro, and Phillips University, Enid, Okla., in 1950.

He was married to Rosalie Dout in Okeene, Okla., on August 8, 1948.

He attended Kansas City School of Osteopathy and Surgery in Kansas City, Mo., graduating in June 1954. He then completed his residency at Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital (now OSU Medical Center) in Tulsa until the summer of 1955. At that time he took over the family medical clinic of Dr. Kritzler in McLean, Texas, where he and his family lived until 1962.

After his younger cousin, Dr. Emery Suderman, D.O., graduated from medical school, they both packed up and moved their families to the Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas during the summer of 1962, where they set-up a partnership, the Suderman Clinic, in Pharr. This was a family and obstetrical practice, which saw an average of 80 patients a day, and by the time, Dr. Joe retired from the practice 25 years later in 1987, together they had delivered more than 10,000 babies.

Dr. Joe participated in several professional and religious organizations, including Lions Club, McLean Public School Board, Gideons International, 1955-1962; was a charter member of KVMV World Radio Network, 1962-1998; charter board member of Children’s Haven International, an orphanage in Reynosa, Mexico, 1956-1998; founding partner and board member of Missionary Air Transport, now known as Crusader Ministries, Inc., 1970 to 2009; board member of Mexican Missions Ministries (MMM) now known as Evangelical Mission Ministries, 1959-1999; his clinic was an approved Training Station for Vocational Industrial Education Program with PSJA School District, 1970-71; and he was a preceptor for the Winter Educational Program of Osteopathic Medical School, Fort Worth, Texas, 1975-1982.

Since mission work always was close to his heart, Dr. Joe always offered discounted medical services to his patients who were involved in missions, and he participated in many missionary-medical trips into various parts of Mexico.

After retirement, Joe and Rosalie moved to the Hillsboro community of Parkside Homes in 2001 and retained “snowbird status” by going south each winter to the Rio Grande Valley until 2007. They moved to Medicalodge in Dewey in April 2009, where Joe passed away peacefully into eternity to be in the presence of his Lord and Savior, whom he served faithfully for so many years.

Preceding him in death are his parents, one sister, and two sons-in-law.

He is survived by his wife, Rosalie of Dewey; six children, Rachel (Mrs. Charles) Stella of Magnolia, Texas, Laura (Mrs. Jim) Hughes of Charles City, Iowa, Evelyn (Mrs. Dennis) Hightower of Bartlesville, Okla., Philip Suderman of Dallas, Texas, Teresa (Mrs. Keith) Marple of Woodland, Calif., and Nancy (Mrs. Jack) Kyle of Independence; 12 grandchildren, Michelle Westholm of Mexico City, Jason Westholm of Des Moines, Iowa, Katherine Westholm of San Francisco, Calif., Brian Hughes of Norwalk, Iowa, Megan Hughes of Ankeny, Iowa, Kyle Hightower of Seabeck, Wash., Blake Hightower of Bartlesville, and Grace, Judith, Paige, Madeline, and “Joey” Kyle, all of Independence; one sister, Luella Case of El Sobrante, Calif.; and two godchildren.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Dr. Joe will be at 5 p.m. July 11 at the Best Western Hotel Crown Room, 2818 S. Van Buren, Enid, Okla.

Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be given to the Evangelical Mission Ministries, P.O. Box 636, Pharr TX 78577, or Children’s Haven International, 400 E. Minnesota, Pharr TX 78577. Arrangements are under the direction of Walker-Brown Funeral Home, Bartlesville, Okla.

Last modified June 3, 2009

 

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