Von E. Summers

Von E. Summers

Von was born March 1, 1933, in Mahaska, Kan., to Roy and Edith (Hartgrave) Summers. 

In 1940 he moved with his family to Corvallis, where he grew up and attended school. Following graduation from Corvallis High in 1951, Von entered the U.S. Navy where he served in the Korean War until being honorably discharged in 1954. He then attended Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University).  

Von married Ramona Gray in 1956 and they moved to Dunsmuir, Calif., where he began what would be a 40-plus 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, Calif., Vonette and Frank Davis of Elmira; sons Roury Summers and his wife Tamera of Medford, Richard Summers of Riverside, Calif.; nine grandchildren; sisters Dolores Williamson of Portland, Loretta Ware and her husband Laurence of Medford; five nieces, one nephew, three grandnieces, two grandnephews, three great-grandnephews 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 will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, July 19, 2010, at the Brookings Elks Lodge, 800 Elk Drive. Pastor Steve Carr will officiate. A potluck will follow the service.

Condolences may be expressed online at http:// www.redwoodmemorial.net.

Submitted by Redwood Memorial Chapel