Dean N. Sommer
June 9, 1935 - September 18, 2024
GIBSON CITY — Dean N. Sommer, 89, of Gibson City and formerly of rural Foosland, passed away at 2:35 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the Gibson Area Hospital-Annex.
A visitation will be held 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at the Gibson City Bible Church. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Monday September 23, 2024, at the Gibson City Bible Church with a visitation held one hour prior. A private family burial will be in Drummer Township Cemetery in Gibson City. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gibson City Bible Church or the Gibson Area Hospital-Annex.
Dean was born on June 9, 1935, on the family farm in Foosland, a son of Nelson and Ella Kauffmann Sommer. He married Janice Reiners on March 10, 1962, in Gibson City.
He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-two years, Janice Sommer along with their two children, Bryan (Brenda) Sommer and Debbie (Carl) Masters; six grandchildren, Isaac (fiancee Riley) Masters, Hunter (fiancee Morgan) Masters, Karlee (Keith) Shields, Lane Sommer, Katie (Braun) Burke, and Samantha (Zachary) Graham. Also surviving are eleven great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law Joanne Sommer; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wayne Sommer and Willis (Rosalie) Sommer; and his sister, Maxine (Rod) Collum.
Dean was a graduate of Bellflower Township High School where he excelled in academics and enjoyed most sports, especially basketball. After high school, he served by special selection in the National Honor Guard. He was stationed in Washington, DC for two years. After his service, he returned home to the family farm where he proudly worked the land alongside his wife Janice. He was a faithful member of the Gibson City Bible church and served on the Bellflower Township HS school board for twenty-four years. Dean was an avid horseman and shared that passion with his family. He loved watching the Boston Celtics and was thrilled to see them win another championship this past season. Dean and Janice enjoyed wintering in Mission, TX for many years and made many long-time friends. His true love was spending time with his family. Dean will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.
