John Michael Sommer's Obituary
John Michael (Hennessey) Sommer, son of John Michael Hennessey, Sr. and Sophia Hochberger Hennessey, was born June 23, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois. Soon after his mother passed away from Tuberculosis, he was adopted by Floyd and Rose Hochberger Sommer, who raised him on their farm near Eau Claire, Michigan. He departed this life Wednesday, September 19, 2007, in Christian Health Care South, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-eight years, two months, and twenty-six days. On September 28, 1957, he was united in marriage to Joyce Barbara Wolken, and this union was blessed with a daughter and two sons. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Floyd Walter Sommer. John is survived by his loving wife of almost fifty years, Joyce, of the home; a daughter, Deborah Louise Hilton, and her husband, Kip, of Ozark, Missouri; two sons, John Anthony Sommer, and his wife, Gina, and Michael Timothy Sommer, all of Lebanon, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Heather Hilton Daulton, and her husband, Aaron, Kassi Hilton, Jonathan Kip Hilton, Chad Anthony Sommer, Krista Michelle Sommer, Eric Michael Sommer, and Chase Allen Sommer; a sister, Frances Young, and her husband, Norris, of Buchanan, Michigan; several nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Curtis Rentz; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. He was raised on a fruit farm in the Eau Claire, Michigan area, graduated from Eau Claire High School, and earned an Associates Degree in Horticulture at Michigan State College. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army from 1955 until 1957, and while being stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he met Joyce. After they were married, they made their home in Michigan for a few years before moving to Lebanon, Missouri in 1962. John soon began working as a civil service employee at Fort Leonard Wood. First, he worked in the laundry, and then spent twenty years with the Fort Leonard Wood Fire Department. In 1984, he retired from the fire department and eventually began working at the V. F. Factory Outlet Mall in Lebanon, until March 31, 2006. John was an active member of Southern Heights Christian Church where he served as a deacon and an elder for many years. He greatly loved his church, liked reading his Bible, and enjoyed working in Bible School. Over the years, he and Joyce had built four houses in the Lebanon area and John enjoyed overseeing and helping with the construction. In his spare time he was an avid reader and particularly liked history. He possessed a delightful sense of humor and enjoyed visiting with his friends at Wal Mart and V. F. Factory Outlet. He loved his family dearly and was especially proud of his children and grandchildren. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he made for his family and friends. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 22, 2007, in the Southern Heights Christian Church. Burial will be in the Dotson Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Memorials to the Alzheimer's Foundation may be made through the funeral home.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?