David L. Sausser

David L. Sausser of Indianapolis, Indiana, died on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 after a short illness. He will be greatly missed by his family and by the many friends whose lives he touched. Dave Sausser was born on Tuesday, November 7, 1934, in Decatur, Illinois, to Charles David Sausser and Doris Leone Trimmer Sausser. He grew up in Springfield, Illinois, moving to Indianapolis in 1949. He attended Indianapolis Howe High School, graduating in 1953. He graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Education in 1957. While attending IU, he was a member of the Lamda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He received an MS in counseling from Indiana University in 1963. He was a Lilly Fellow in American History at Indiana University from 1965 to 1967. Dave served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve from 1957 to 1963, serving at Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Knox, Kentucky; and the 6th Corps Headquarters at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana and Battle Creek, Michigan. He taught American History and U.S. Government at Warren Central High School from 1958 to 1996 where he was esteemed by his students and fellow teachers. He served as Chairman of the Social Studies Department from 1983 to 1996. On August 18, 1956, Dave married Joyce Leeann Harbison with whom he enjoyed almost 30 years of happy marriage until her death in 1986. He found love again when he married Myrna Kay Miller Bacon on November 27, 1987. His children are Victoria Lynn Sausser Carlson, Mark Charles Sausser, Joanna Kay Bacon Edwards, and Brian Robert Bacon. His granddaughters are Kristen Denise Edwards, Nicole Brianne Edwards, Leeann Elizabeth Sausser, Amanda Danielle Edwards and Caroline Elise Sausser. He was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church; the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite of Indianapolis, and Murat Shrine; National Education Association; Marion County Retired Teachers Association; Indiana University Alumni Association; and the American Legion. After retiring, he volunteered in the mail department of Community North Hospital from 1997 to 2009. His passions in life included his family, American History, travel, baseball, and IU basketball. He is survived by his wife, Myrna; his daughter, Vicki Carlson and her husband Rick; his son, Mark Sausser and his wife Julanne; his daughter, Joanna Edwards; his son, Brian Bacon; and his granddaughters, Nicole Edwards, Leeann Sausser, Amanda Edwards, and Caroline Sausser. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chuck and Doris Sausser; his first wife, Joyce Sausser; and his granddaughter, Kristen Edwards. A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 20 at Noon at Flanner and Buchanan- Washington Park East, 10722 E. Washington Street, with visitation from 10 AM until service time. Memorial gifts may be made to Riley Children's Foundation, 30 South Meridian Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204-3509. A tribute to Dave's life may be viewed online at www.flannerbuchanan.com, where condolences may be shared with his family.