Susan Lehman Sommer, 68, of Tremont, Ill., died at 2:56 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2016, at her home.
She was born July 11, 1947, in Bluffton, Ohio, to Carl M. and Sarah Miller Lehman. She married James T. Sommer on Aug. 18, 1968, in Bluffton; he survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Laura Saal and Christine (Dave) Papenhause, both of Tremont; two sons, Mark (Katrina) Sommer and Jeremy Sommer, both of Tremont; eight grandchildren, Kaelin and Andrew Sommer, Anna, Becca, Zach Saal, and Alex, Jill, Josh Papenhause; three sisters, Rebecca (Paul) Mitchell, Mary (Mike) Edmiston and Barbara (Keith) Aidun; and two brothers, Daniel Lehman and John Lehman.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Susan graduated from Bluffton College in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in English.
She was a member of First Mennonite Church in Morton. She was the founder and editor of the Tremont News and Printing from 1987 to 1995. She was the executive administrator for the Illinois Mennonite Conference from 1996 to 2006. She served as board chairman of The Mennonite Magazine, served on the Tremont Area Park Board and was a member of the Central Illinois Banjo Club in Morton, where she played the mandolin.
Susan enjoyed writing poetry and authored the book, "And I’m Stuck with Joseph." She also enjoyed photography and walking on her prairie grass trails.
A private family graveside service will be at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, rural Tremont, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Mennonite Church, Morton. Pastors Aaron Yoder and Tim Schrag will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Davis-Oswald Funeral Home, Tremont.
Memorials may be made to Camp Friedenswald 15406 Watercress Way, Cassopolis, MI 49031-9532 or The Mennonite, Inc. 3145 Benham Ave., Suite 4, Elkart, IN 46517.
To express condolences, visit www.davisoswaldfh.com.
