John Evald Sommers, Jr.

He was born on May 31, 1940, in Marquette, Michigan. The third child of Evald and Tyyne (Hangas) Sommers, he was welcomed and adored by his two older sisters. John (Sonny to his family and friends) would acquire two more siblings and grow up in a noisy and loving household with a large garden, chickens, turkeys, and rabbits, always a dog and for 12 years a pet monkey.

He attended John D. Pierce High School graduating on the honor roll in 1958. He graduated from Northern in 1962 with a BS in biology and chemistry. While attending Northern he worked as an orderly at St. Luke’s Hospital. His caring manner along with his quirky sense of humor made him a compassionate caregiver as well as congenial co-worker.

John taught high school chemistry for two years, but found greater satisfaction in his summer concrete construction work and soon turned it into a full-time job, eventually owning his own business. He will be remembered as someone who marched to his own beat.

John is survived by his sisters, LaVerne Locke of Ishpeming and Susan Sommers of Garland Texas, as well as, nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rev. Lorraine Grislis of Winnipeg; brother, David Sommers of Milwaukee and foster sister, Vickie Vance.

Those wishing to do so may direct memorials to Room at the Inn, 447 West Washington Street in Marquette.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.