Paul Summers
Godfrey |
Paul Richard Summers, 68, died at 6:18 p.m., Thursday, July 11, 2013, at his residence.
He was born in Wheatland, Indiana on January 19, 1945, a miracle child, born to the late James Theodore and Edith Mae (Downey) Summers.
After his mothers death when Paul was only four years old, he was raised by his aunt, Hazel, who provided him with a loving and nurturing home and family.
Paul graduated high school in Wheatland, Indiana with the class of 1964 and enrolled in the Indiana National Guard.
At the age of 18, Paul moved to Illinois, joining the Illinois National Guard and began what would be an over 30 year career with McDonnell-Douglas where he remained a dedicated employee through the company’s transitions to Boeing, and finally GKN where he retired in the spring of 2004 as a Sheet Metal Fabricator.
Paul was a very loving and caring man who seemed to be able to do just about anything you could ever imagine. He was an avid supporter of the Boy Scouts of America; a talented wood carver; had a strong passion for collecting coins; and garnered the nickname “Papa Choo-Choo” from his grandchildren because of his love of trains.
He married the former Nicki Akers on March 22, 2002 in Edwardsville, and together they have enjoyed the last 10 years together.
Surviving are his beloved wife and devoted caretaker, Nicki Summers of Godfrey, two sons and their spouses, Brian and Melinda Summers of Godfrey; Tim Summers of Dorsey; five grandchildren, TJ, Elizabeth, Bryce, Hailey, Kian; two great-nephews whom he loved as if they were his own grandchildren, Alex and Austin Lane; along with a very special cousin, whom he was raised with and thought of more as a sister, Doris Quinn of Washington, Indiana.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Theodore and Edith Mae Summers; his beloved aunt, Hazel Parker; and his mother and father-in-law, Nicholas and Francis Akers.
Visitation will be from 11 to 1 p.m., Monday, July 15, 2013 at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville where funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Austin Caldwell of Community Harvest Church officiating. Burial will immediately follow at the Kane Cemetery in Kane, IL.
Memorials may be given to the Jerseyville Boy Scouts Troop 492 or to Community Harvest Church in Alton, where Paul was a member.
Crawford Funeral Home
