January 22, 1984

Sutton gets award

       Bargersville firemen Forrest E. Sutton Jr. was awarded the Dick Van Valer Service Award for community service at Thursday’s meeting of the Johnson County Firemen’s Association.  The annual award is given in memory of the late Richard Van Valer, former Greenwood Fire Chief.  The award honors firefighters who are active in their communities.  Sutton, 39, is the fifth recipient of the award.  Sutton told the gathering at Isom Central Elementary School in Greenwood that he accepted the award on behalf of the entire Bargersville department, adding all firemen in the county deserved the award.

         Sutton is a 16 year member of the Bargersville department, where he served as chief from 1980 to 1983.  A machine operator at Eli Lilly and Co. in Indianapolis, he resigned as chief in 1983 when he was moved to second shift.  The award was presented by Joe Van Valer, Richard’s son, who cited Sutton’s involvement with the Center Grove Little League, Bargersville First Christian Church and White River Township Advisory Board.  Sutton and his wife Marilyn, a Johnson County Council member, live at 110 North St. in Bargersville.  They have two children, Robert, 10, and Sonya, 6.

(Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo)
 

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