Vincent DePaul Sommer Obituary (1923 - 2006)

Vincent DePaul Sommer, 83, of Vandalia, formerly of Ramsey Oconee died Wednesday, June 7, 2006 at 9:50 p.m. in Fayette County Hospital, Vandalia. He was born January 12, 1923 in rural Ramsey, the son of Henry Margaret (Rakers) Sommer. He was a graduate of Pana Township High School Class of 1941. He farmed his entire life, retiring in 1993. Vincent was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oconee where he attended until moving to Vandalia where he attended Mother of Dolors Catholic Church; Knights of Columbus, Pana, Fourth Degree Knight; Bishop Griffen Assembly 201 of Springfield; Oconee Lions Club; former member of Pana Elks Club. He married Margaret Mumie in August 1949, she died in October 1965. He married Martha Nestrick in September 1979 in Montrose, IL. Vincent is survived by his wife: Martha Sommer, Vandalia, IL; sons: Jerry Sommer (Cheryl), Jacksonville, IL; Terry Sommer (Judy), Springfield, IL; Kevin Sommer and friend (Jennifer), Oconee, IL; Bradley Sommer (Lydia), Dubai, Saudi Arabia; Michael Sommer (Sue), Excelsior, MN; Barry Sommer (Dawn), Decatur, IL; Lyndon Sommer (Hilary) St. Louis, MO; daughters: Valerie Merrihew, Springfield, IL; Renee Sommer, Niantic, IL; Lenee Sommer friend, Vicky, Springfield, IL; step children: Dwight Nestrick (Anne) of Henderson, KY; Kevin Nestrick (Cheri), Prescott, AZ; H. L. Nestrick (Jodi), Anna, TX; Regina Hamilton (Jack), Mt. Vernon, IL; Heidi Nestrick, Quincy, IL; 25 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; brother: Wilfred "Bud" Sommer (Arlene), Macon, IL; and sisters: Celestine Temmen, Oconee, IL; and Agatha Lee, Springfield, IL. He was also preceded in death by his parents; daughter Desiree; brothers: George Sommer, Marion Sommer, and Tony Sommer; and sister Elizabeth Cushing. Letter for my father, Vince: June 10, 2006 To my family, I miss you all. The Lord directs us in all that you do with our life. Though my heart is heavy that I can not be with you during our time of grief and this time that we celebrate the life of our father, my heart told me that my duty was to fulfill my commitment to the people here that depend on me to care for them. However, it is important to me that you know my love for each of you. And the love I feel for my father, Vince. I have grief and gladness with his passage. I know he is at peace in the arms of the Lord. But I miss him. I have been blessed in many ways throughout my life. My most cherished blessing is all of you, my family. That includes my communal families brought together through the love between Vince and Martha. Not many people can say they have enjoyed the love of two fathers. In my 56 years, I first had the love of my biological father, Harold. The Lord let me have him for 27 years and I still miss him today. After his passing he blessed me with Vince, my step father. But the word "step" has always left a bad taste with me when speak of someone you love, kind of like the Evil Step Sisters from Cinderella. So Vince is simply my father! I actually had Vince longer than my real father. I don't compare them individually, except in the love they expressed to me and my family through their actions and words. I give thanks to God for bringing Vince into our family. His love and devotion he gave my mother, the acceptance of my baby sister in to his arms when she grieved over the loss of her daddy and his unconditional acceptance of my family as his family are testimony to Vince's heart and soul. So Some men are good providers, good lovers, good listeners, good driving instructors, good cook, good eaters, good drinkers, good ball players, good spankers, good criers, good laughers, good talkers, good walkers, good traveling companions, good farmer and good nappers. To my mind Vince was good at all these things and more, but most importantly to me my father Vince was a truly Good Man. He loved his Lord and His Church, unconditionally. He loved his family unconditionally including my family. And he dearly loved my mom. These good things that I remember: Good Cook: He fried an egg on the sidewalk in front of my house in Bullhead City in August 1977 when he and mom drove one of our cars when we moved there. Good Eater: I remember the picture of him and Dana eating strawberries at the table at the farm house. And Sommerfest. And tomatoes by the handsful. Good driving instructor: He taught Dana to drive his truck. He and Kevin even took her to a bar in Nokomis. She drove. Good ball player: He would play with Dana, Derek, Ben and Andrea in the yard at the farm. And other fun things like fishing, riding in the wagon or back of the truck. He know how to make kids smile. Good Drinker: The beer gardens in Pana, The K of C, the Vandalia Country Club, the Moose, our patio in Bullhead, the club house in Bullhead, so many places, so many good times Good Walker: mom talked about shelling and walking on the beach in Florida. She tried to teach him golf!! But he played the 19th hole better than all the rest. Good Napper: He was king of the chair and who can forget, "well you can stay up all night but I'm going to bed!!" Good Farmer: Which always started at the Oconee caf and would include a ride in the combine or a truck ride to see the crops that would include a stop for a cold beer. Good spanker: Well I don't know about that but I'm sure Jerry, Terry and Kevin can tell us all about it. Good Crier: Weddings or funerals, all were the same. Sometimes his tears didn't show. All these good things I remember about my time with my father Vince. Life requires that we know sadness to truly appreciate life's joys. We often struggle with our Faith when we witness pain and suffering, but we renew our Faith when we see true kindness and caring. My mother suffered tremendous pain and anguish as she cared for her friend and lover over these past few years. The Lord is now caring for both my fathers. It is now up to me to love and care for my mother. She is suffering what to me would be an unthinkable loss. The loss of life's partner, friend, spouse and lover. Our love for her must comfort that loss and the Lord will carry her through this time. As I celebrate the life of our father, Vince, in my mind, I want to always remember his love for me and my family. His zest for life. His fun times. His smile and twinkle in his eyes. His unconditional love for us all. He was a good man. I miss you all. My love and prayers are with you always. Kevin Funeral Information Funeral mass will be Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 12:00 noon in Mother of Dolors Catholic Church, 322 N. 7th St., Vandalia, IL with Rev. Fr. Peter Harmon officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Oconee, IL. Visitation will be Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the church.