Donald Max Sommers, age 93, died on April 10, 2024 in Marion County. Don was born in Hicksville, Ohio on September 15, 1930 to Flossie Naomi (Thomas) Sommers and Edward L. Sommers. They had a big family and he grew up on a farm with two horses, Nell and Fred. Life was hard. They lacked money, but they had each other. Don’s mom always made his favorite chicken gravy to pour over biscuits for his birthday. His father died when he was 16.
As a boy in Central High School in Fort Wayne, Don worked at Lassky’s fruit market. After graduating from Central High School in Fort Wayne in 1949, he worked for A & P Grocery. Don joined Armour Swift- Eckrich in Fort Wayne in 1950 and worked for them in a variety of roles for 43 years, retiring in 1993 as a branch truck loader even after the closing of the local Fort Wayne plant.
He enjoyed watching Indiana Hoosiers basketball and Notre Dame football and cheering for son David during his sports and music events at Fort Wayne Northside High School. Don was a charter member of Faith Baptist Church in Fort Wayne. He and wife Geneva moved to Indianapolis in 2010 to be closer to their family. In later years, he enjoyed watching any recital or sport in which his three beloved granddaughters participated.
Don is survived by son David (Sandra) Sommers, and by granddaughters Betsy, Carly and Kit Sommers of Indianapolis, Charlotte and Winston Salem, NC. He was preceded in death by his wife Geneva Sommers, who he married at a chapel in Angola, Indiana on February 21, 1953; his parents; his brothers: Russell Gray, Wayne and Everett Sommers and Tom Gray; and his sisters: Mary Nuckles, Madeline Bley, Mae Ohnek, Phyllis Wells, Dorothy Roemig and Doris Joan Hickman. Don was a hardworking and loving brother, husband, father and grandfather. He will be sorely missed. He loved the Lord and will be eager to reunite with his family in heaven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Faith Baptist Church, 6600 Trier Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46815.
Visitation will be held from 11 to noon on Saturday, April 13, 2024 with funeral services immediately following at noon at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Services at 229 S. Rangeline Road in Anderson, Indiana. Burial will immediately follow at East Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson, IN.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com