Jerome A. Sutherland

Jerome A. Sutherland of 9225 N. Garrison Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana, born on 28 April 1950 in Kokomo, Indiana died 15 October 2023 peacefully at St. Vincent Hospital, 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana .  Jerome had a remarkable way of taking the world as it came and spreading the joy he felt to those about him.  He graduated from IPS Shortridge High School in 1968 when it was still the State of Indiana’s only Advanced Academic High School.

Jerome began working in hospitality, but he eventually found his career calling as a custodian focusing on building care and maintenance.  He worked briefly at Arsenal Technical High School and then was transferred to Northwest High School.  He went on to work as head custodian at Bishop Chatard High School, Indianapolis before leaving to complete his career with the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township.  There he worked at McClelland Elementary, South Wayne Middle School, Garden City Elementary, and was head custodian at Maplewood Elementary and the MSD Wayne Township Alternative High School.  He was cited by MSD Wayne Township as exemplary employee where he was noted for running an extraordinary program of building cleanliness and safety.  While at South Wayne, he was also the pool maintenance technician.

His high standards for building maintenance often meant he worked Saturday without pay to complete the small touches that made the building outstanding.  Once when the Superintendent visited the alternative school, he asked Jerome when the building got these new bronze door handles.  Jerome informed him they were always there and only needed special polishing to shine.

Jerome always related well with the students.  This was especially important during his last days in MSD Wayne Township when he was at the alternative high school.  The alternative students found him an important fixture of their day; he was always there to greet them and talk with them as they arrived for breakfast.

During his career Jerome had the honor of being the custodian teachers wished assigned the run that included their classroom.  One teacher at Arsenal Technical High School told administrators she had never seen her classroom so clean and asked her room always remain part of his assigned duties.

He is survived by his sister Cynthia Kay Snyder of Carmel, Indiana, his brother William Thompson of Brownsburgh, Indiana, and a number of cousins and friends too large to enumerate. Internment will be private.

Hartley Funeral Home Cicero Chapel is entrusted with Mr. Sutherland's care .  You may send condolences at http://www.hartleyfuneralhomes.com.

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