Jacob Robert Sutherland, 23, of Battle Creek, passed away suddenly on October 23, 2016, as the result of a moped accident. The youngest child of Bernice Attia Sutherland and Fred John Wessel Jr, both longtime residents of Battle Creek, Jacob was the most curious and adventurous of his three siblings Anna, Chris, and Nolan.

At a young age Jacob took that curiosity and invested it into the various businesses his parents established in Battle Creek. His father Fred imbued upon him his entrepreneurial spirit while his mother Bernice gave him the love, support and confidence he needed to be a young business owner. Together with his eldest brother, Chris, Jacob maintained a successful business in Emmett Township.

It was the love he shared with his siblings that helped Jacob through the trials in his life. He knew how fortunate he was to have such a rare bond with all of them. He always loved going to visit his big sister Anna in Madison, WI, or spending countless hours building bikes with his big brother Nolan from their father's massive collection of parts in the backyard. There are so many beautiful memories they have to draw from in the short time they had with Jacob and will continue to learn lessons from him to help them through their trials.

Everyone who met Jacob adored him. He was that light in the room that you couldn't keep your eyes off of. It was that light that garnered the attraction of his soulmate Kate Mullen. Together they combined their mutual love of animals and rescued and cared for lost pets in Battle Creek. Almost once a week they had a surprise at the backdoor waiting for Bernice.

He was the proud father of Leon (one of those surprises) and Domino, his two beloved dogs, who will continue to be loved and cared for by his family.

Jacob will always be remembered as a kind, generous young man, who touched the lives of so many. His final selfless act was The Gift of Life, as a full organ donor, a sacrifice that has given hope to many other families in crisis. His family has said it's comforting to know that a piece of him will live on through others. They have asked that anyone who would like to make a charitable donation in Jacob's honor can graciously give to the Humane Society of South Central Michigan.

Jacob was proceeded in death by paternal Grandmother Hattie Wessel, paternal Grandfather Fred John Wessel Sr., maternal Grandmother Michiko Lybarger and maternal Grandfather David Jacob Sutherland, who loved him dearly.

He is survived by parents Bernice Attia Sutherland and Fred John Wessel Jr., sister Anna L. Sutherland, of Battle Creek, brother Christopher Q. Sutherland, of Battle Creek, brother Nolan A. Sutherland, of Madison, WI, Grandfather John Lybarger, of Battle Creek, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.

Jacob will live on as an inspiration for so many. The short number of years he lived here will never represent the amount of life he lived. He sought and he found. He loved and he laughed. But, most of all, he cared.

Please come as you are as Jacob never wanted anyone to be uncomfortable.

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