Walter Sommers

Walter Clyde Sommers, son of Herbert Melvin and Mona Vernell Rummel Sommers, was born, May 30, 1933 in Castalia, Ohio. He departed this life, June 9, 2009, in Camdenton, Missouri at the age of seventy-six years and ten days. He was preceded in death by his wife, Julia C. Sommers; his parents; a sister, La Fawn Ballard and two brothers, Lyman and Earl Duane Sommers Survivors include his significant other, Eileen Flora of Camdenton, Missouri; his children, Lorna Hanchett and husband Robert of Spring, Texas, Cathay Sommers-Downing of Camdenton, Missouri and Jon Sommers and wife Tammy of Lake Ozark, Missouri; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sisters, Gwendolyn Payne and husband Russell of Indiana and Zenith Sommers of Ohio and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Walter was raised in Ohio and attended school there. After graduation from high school he joined the United States Army. He made a career of the military where he served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was wounded and received a Purple Heart as well as a Bronze Star. He retired from the Army in 1972 after twenty-one years of proud and faithful service. He retired to the Lake of the Ozarks where he worked for the Osage Beach Police Department and the Camden County Sheriff's Department. He served as Chief of Police in Camdenton for a time. He made a profession of faith in Christ and attended New Hope Church in Kaiser, Missouri. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner in Germany. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the National Rifle Association. In his spare time he enjoyed guns. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends. Walter was a loving father, grandfather, companion, brother and uncle and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he created for his family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 13, 2009 in Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors will follow in Allee Memorial Gardens, Camdenton. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Friday in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association or the VA Medical Center in Columbia and left at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton.