Gary M. Stutler
Gary M. Stutler, 74, of Friendship passed away at 12:35pm, Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at the Kings Daughters Hospital in Madison. He was born at the Whitlatch Clinic in Milan on April 2, 1947, the son of Arnold and Laura Elrod Stutler. He was married to Judith Ann Cutter on September 10, 1966 and his wife of 54 years survives.
Other survivors include two sons Scott (Whitney Hillstrand) Stutler of Friendship and Todd (Dara) Stutler of Huntsville, Texas; three grandchildren Ethan, Ty, and Warren Stutler; one great-grandson Ryder Stutler; one brother Ron (Janet) Stutler of Versailles; sister-in-law Dolly Stutler of Milan. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Isabella, his parents, brothers Merle, Wallace, Daryl, and Ernest Stutler, and his sisters Roberta Ashcraft, Marjorie Stevens, and infant sister Marilyn.
Mr. Stutler was a 1965 graduate of Milan High School. Gary served stateside with the US Army from 1966 to 1972. His working career spanned several years where he was a former employee of Cummins Engine in Columbus and also the Ripley County Highway Garage. He and Judy owned and operated the Old Mill Campground and Flea Market in Friendship for 21 years and had owned and operated Stutler’s Hardware in Friendship and Versailles. He also was a former bus driver and night maintenance man for the South Ripley Schools. Gary was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Versailles, a member of the Friendship Fire Department for over 50 years, a member of the Brown Township American Legion, Ripley County Voiture 40 & 8, and the Friendship Sewer Board. He served three terms as Ripley County Commissioner and was always active in Republican politics in the county.
Funeral services were held on Monday, August 16th at 10:30am at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Rev. Carter Corbrey and Johnny Lohrum officiating. Burial was in the Akers Friendship Cemetery. Visitation was on Sunday from 4pm to 7pm. Memorials may be given to the Brown Township American Legion or the Friendship Fire Department in care of the funeral home.
