By Staff
Robert H. Sommers, 82, of Berrien Center, died Friday, July 4, 2008, at Lakeland Speciality Hospital, Berrien Center, following an illness.
Funeral services celebrating his life was be held at 11 a.m. today, July 8, at Legacy Family Funeral Services – Matthew R. Purchase Chapel with the Rev. Janet Van Lear of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles officiating.
Burial will follow at South Union Cemetery, Berrien Center.
He was born on Oct. 3, 1925, in Dowagiac, to Carl and Mabel (Radewald) Sommers. he was a 1943 graduate of Berrien Springs High School.
Sommers served his country during World War II in the United States Army.
On Aug. 11, 1946, he married Ester Dohm Sommers, who preceded him in death on Dec. 20, 1982.
He worked as a fruit farmer in Berrien Center all of his life. He also served as the Berrien Township clerk for many years.
He loved playing cards, hunting, fishing, golfing and enjoyed watching sports of all kinds, especially NASCAR and college football and basketball.
He was a member of the Galien American Legion Post and the Oddfellows. Most of all he loved spending time with his entire family.
Survivors include his four children, Linda (Carl) Johnson of Berrien Center, Sharon (Robert) I. Prestine of Niles, Carol (Ric) A. Sink of Berrien Springs,, Bobbi (Daniel) Jo Johnson of North Carolina; grandchildren, Karla (Chris) Porter of Berrien Center, Brian (Kim) Johnson of Niles, Melissa Prestine of Niles, Laura (Jason) Bradley of Battle Creek, Matthew (Courtney) Riggins of Noblesville, Ind., Rebecca Riggins of Dowagiac, Erika Sink of Hanover Park, Ill., Daniel Jones of North Carolina, Michelle (Gary) Dilley of West Virginia, Michael Woodward of North Carolina and great-grandchildren, Alex and Karissa Porter, Austin, Kyle and Adam Johnson and Hunter and Parker Riggins.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Ester, he was preceded in death by his brother, James Sommers in 1944, while serving his country during World War II.
Sign the guestbook at www.legacyfuneral.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Union Church Restoration Fund or Lakeland Hospice.
Arrangements were by Legacy Family Funeral Services – Matthew R. Purchase Chapel.