Dr. Severino T. “Benny” Sulit, passed away Wednesday,
October 9, 2013 in IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie.
He was born April 8, 1928 in Manila, Philippines, the son of
Daniel and Maria (Torres) Sulit. He graduated high school in 1946 in
Cabanatuan, Neuva Ecita, Philippines, received his Doctor of Medicine in 1954
from University of St. Tomas, Manila, and practiced for the next three years in
the Philippines.
In 1957 Dr. Sulit came to the United States and served an
internship at Leonard Hospital, Troy, New York. From July 1958 to June 1960, he
served his residency at Fairview Park Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio. He served a
two year surgical residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Miami, Florida from
1960-1962, then he spent one year as House Physician at Deaconess Hospital,
Cincinnati, Ohio. His third and fourth year surgical residency was at Good
Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati and the following year he was House Physician at
Deaconess Hospital, Cincinnati.
On June 25, 1960, Benny married Karen K. Schmidt in Fairview
Park, Ohio. They moved to Hartford City in 1966 and continued his medical practice
until his retirement in 2000.
He was a member of AMA, Indiana Medical Association,
Blackford-Delaware Medical Association, Blackford County Hospital Medical
Staff, Association of Abdominal Surgeons, and was honored by the Indiana State
Medical Association for his over 50 years of medical practice. He also was a
member of St. John’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Emil Schweier Council
1632, the Bishop Arnold Assembly Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree, Hartford
City Rotary Club and the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians. Benny
served on the Blackford County Board of Health and the board of Hearts with
Integrity.
Later in his life, Benny focused his passion for helping
others by leading 13 medical missions to help the people of Haiti. Benny also loved
gardening, especially his roses, oil painting, stained glass and singing at
nursing homes and community choir.
Surviving are: his wife, Karen; three daughters, Debra
(David) Reinicke, Arvada, CO, Cheryl (Jeff) Liechty, Berne, IN, and Carole
(Warren) Bennett, Lakewood, CO; two sons, Daniel (May) Sulit, Chatham, NJ and
Michael (Tami) Sulit, Indianapolis; a brother, Benjamin Sulit; a sister,
Corazon Belisario; and 14 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers,
Sergio and Daniel, and two sisters, Marieta Toledo and Marcia Policino.The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Keith Hosey at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 14 in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 209 S. Spring St., Hartford City. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory, Muncie.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 13 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. in Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City.
The Christian Wake Service will be Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to St. John’s Church, Blackford County
Community Foundation, P.O. Box 327, Hartford City, IN 47348, John XXIII Center,
407 W. McDonald St., Hartford City or in
the form of masses.
Online condolences may be sent to:
www.watersfuneralhomes.com
