Sommer, Oscar Julius (1886-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Jul 13 p. 3

Birth date: 1886 Jan 8

text of obituary:

Co-Founder of Illinois Seed Company Dies

O. J. SOMMER DEVOTED LIFE TO AGRICULTURE AND CHURCH WORK

Pekin, Ill. — Funeral services for O. J. Sommer, 75, co-founder of the Sommer Bros. Seed Company here, took place Wednesday afternoon, July 5, at the Bethel Mennonite church. Death came July 3 at the University of Chicago clinic after two years of failing health.

A well-known agriculturist, Mr. Sommer and his brother Arthur in 1909 founded the seed company in which he continued active the rest of his life. He was president of the board at the time of his death. This firm carries on extensive operations in the Midwest.

Mr. Sommer was first president of the Illinois Crop Improvement Assn. in the 1920s and a charter member of the Tazewell Farm Bureau. He was also a charter member of the Bethel Church, where he served in various capacities of leadership. Service to the church at large included many years as treasurer of the Central Conference of Mennonites and several terms on the General Conference Board of Education.

Surviving are his wife, Rosella; three children, Theodore, president of Sommer Bros. Seed Co., Mrs. Robert (Lois) Kreider of Bluffton, O., and Dr. John L. Sommer of Chicago; 10 grandchildren; and one brother, Arthur Sommer.

The funeral services were largely attended by friends from Illinois and nearby states.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Aug 3 p. 8

text of obituary:

O. J. SOMMER

Oscar Julius Sommer was born Jan. 8, 1886, on a farm near Pekin, Ill., the son of John S. and Emelie [sic Amelia] Sommer. He grew up on the farm, and early accepted Christ as his Lord and Saviour in baptism. He attended the worship services in the Railroad School House, and when Bethel Mennonite Church was organized on Sept. 10, 1910, he became one of its charter members.

On August 18, 1918, he was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Norah Mae Lambert, who had been a missionary among the Armenians during th second decade of this century. This union was blessed with three children: Theodore Levon, now president of the Sommer Seed Company, which his father helped to found; Lois Lydia, wife of Dr. Robert Kreider, Dean of Bluffton College; and John Lambert, assistant professor, surgeon andphysician on the staff of Billings Hospital, University of Chicago Clinic.

His wife Norah went to her eternal reward Nov. 12, 1947. His second marriage occurred on March 29, 1949, when he was united in bonds of holy matrimony with Mrs. Rosella Stolz Urban. He departed this life early Sunday morning, July 2, 1961, at age of 75 years, five months, 24 days. He is survived by his second wife Rosella, his three children, his brother Arthur, ten grandchildren, and nephews and nieces.

All during these years he has been very active in the work of Bethel Mennonite Church. He served as chorister for many years, as Sunday school teacher for most of fifty years, as deacon for many years, and on the church board. His activities extended beyond the local congregation in that he served as treasurer of the Central Conference of Mennonites for many years. He served on the General Conference Board of Education for two terms, and on the Camp Friedenswald Committee which brought into being this Christian camp.

His counsels were highly respected, his leadership ackowledged, and his forward look in the work of Christ and the Church was most valuable. In relation to agriculture, his chosen field as a seed man, his motto was “As you sow, so shall you reap” and again, “As we deal with seed, we deal with life.” As was said of David by his bosom friend Jonathan, so many will say of Bro. O. J. Sommer, “Thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.”

Funeral services were held July 5 at the Bethel Mennonite Church, Rev. S. T. Moyer, the pastor, was in charge. Rev. R. L. Hartzler brought the message and assisted at the graveside.

The Mennonite obituary: 1961 Jul 18 p. 462