Sommer, Isaac (1851-1924)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1924 Mar 25 p. 4, 8

Birth date: 1851 Jan 17

text of obituary:

REV. ISAAC SOMMER DIES AT BERNE, IND.

Widely Known Mennonite Minister Called Beyond.

Adams County Witness

Rev. Isaac Sommer, of Berne, widely known and much beloved among the Mennonite brethren, passed to his reward this morning (Wednesday, March 19th), at the Isaac Lehman home, shortly before six o'clock. Friends of Rev. Sommer, who has been a faithful and efficient worker in the interest of the denomination, will be much grieved to learn of his death.

Rev. Sommer has been failing in health practically all winter, however his condition did not become grave until two weeks ago last Sunday when he was forced to his bed and his condition continued rapidly to grow worse and the end was expected during the last few days. He has been longing for the end, knowing that his health was no more to return, thus his wish was granted this morning when the death angel came to meet him.

His death is attributed to kidney and bladder trouble, technically termed as chronic cystitis. Since the death of his beloved co-worker, Rev. S. F. Sprunger, who died of a similar disease last fall, Rev. Sommer seemed to decline rapidly in health and his longing to join his departed friend probably helped to hurry on the end.

He was born on January 17, 1851 in Wayne county, Ohio, and was a son of Abraham and Elizabeth Lehman Sommer, deceased, his age thus being 73 years, 2 months and 2 days at the time of his death this morning. When a young man he entered the Normal College at Ada, O., where he received his education. After completing a course in that institution, sixteen years were devoted to teaching in rural schools, both in his home county and in this community.

In the year of 1884, when a man of 33 years, he came to Berne where the greater part of his remaining years were spent. It was during this long and memorable period that Rev. Sommer established a wide reputation in his services, among the Mennonite churches throughout the land. Although he never held a charge as minister, he often preached from the pulpit, however his greatest work was wrought while editor of various religious publications of the Mennonite denomination.

In 1884 he took charge of the editorship of two German papers, the Christlicher Bundesbot and the Kinderbote and served in that position until 1912. During the six years, from 1906 to 1912 he also served as editor of The Mennonite, an English paper. Rev. Sommer has accomplished much toward influencing the large Mennonite denomination. His greatest work was accomplished with his pen at his desk.

Several years were spent in Elkhart, prior to coming to Berne, where he was editor of the "Jugend-Freund."

In 1912 he retired as editor and for a while travelled for the Mennonite Book Concern, to canvass for subscriptions for the religious papers of which he was formerly the editor and was also engaged in selling religious books.

About four years ago he went to California where he spent some time for many years he made his home with his brother Abraham. Since his return, his days were spent in retirement.

Rev. Sommer was never married; for many years he hame [sic] his home with the S. F. Sprunger family. During the last few years, however, he has been staying at the Isaac Lehman home in the south part of town.

He is survived by three brothers and three sisters. They are: Chris and Daniel, near Kidron, Ohio, Abraham of Glendale, Calif., Mrs. Elizabeth Gentis of Muncie; Mrs. Judith Mumaw of Akron, Ohio and Mrs. Kate Arnold of Chippewa Lake, Ohio. His mother was a sister to Mrs. David Sprunger, deceased, of this place. Many relatives in this community also mourn his death.

The funeral services will be held on Friday morning (March 21st) at 9 o'clock from the Isaac Lehman home, and at 9:30 from the Mennonite church. Interment will be made in the M. R. E. cemetery.