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Obituary for Von E. Summers
Von E. Summers passed away at his home in Brookings, OR on July 14, 2010. He was 77. Von was born March 1, 1933 in Mahaska, KS to Roy and Edith (Hartgrave) Summers. In 1940 he moved with his family to Corvallis, OR where he grew up and attended school. Following graduation from Corvallis High in 1951, Von entered the US Navy where he served in the Korean War until being honorably discharged in 1954. He then attended the Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University). Von married Ramona Gray in 1956 and they moved to Dunsmuir, CA where he began what would be a 40+ year career with Southern Pacific Railroad, first as a brakeman then as a conductor. He and Ramona divorced in 1974. Von moved to Klamath Falls that same year. He married Donna Valahos in 1980. They divorced in 1985. Von later married Helen Adams in 1988; they moved to Brookings in 1990. Von was a lifelong member of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge, first in Mt. Shasta, then in Klamath Falls and Brookings. He was also an honorary member of the Marine Corps League and enjoyed volunteering with the Redshirts. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching sports, playing pool at the Elks' Lodge and spending time with his family. Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Victoria and Chris Pflanzar of LaMirada, CA and Vonette and Frank Davis of Elmira, OR, sons, Roury Summers and his wife, Tamera of Medford, OR and Richard Summers of Riverside, CA, nine grandchildren, sisters, Dolores Williamson of Portland, OR and Loretta Ware and her husband, Laurence of Medford, OR, five nieces, one nephews, three grandnieces, two grandnephews and three great grand nephews and two great grandnieces. Von was preceded in death by his wife, Helen and a daughter, Robin Summers. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. A memorial service was held on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 2:00pm at the Brookings Elks Lodge, 800 Elk Drive. Pastor Steve Carr officiated.
