Obituary of J. H. "Pete" Sumner

J. H. “Pete” Sumner, age 96, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019, at the Anderson County Hospital in Garnett.

He was born on December 26, 1922, in Coffey County, Kansas, the son of William and Wilda (Welborn), the eighth child of nine children born to the family.

Pete was united in marriage to Betty Lou Marks on June 23, 1943, in Ottawa, Kansas.  They have celebrated over 75 years together.  Five children, Joe “Butch”, Joyce, Lloyd, Larry and Ron were born to this union.

He started out farming near Harris, then moved to Garnett.  Pete worked at John Deere for 34 years, and was proud of singing as the John Deere Ranger on KOFO Radio of Ottawa.  He was a great family man, coaching little league baseball, and following his grandchildren’s ballgames.  Pete was a Kansas City Royals fan, and he enjoyed playing guitar and singing with his siblings.  He was an avid coon hunter and bird hunter with his hounds and bird dogs.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Kate Yeager, Elmer Sumner, Edith Hardesty, Della Stonebraker, Dorothy Sumner, Marie Root, Mae Root, and John (Jack) Sumner.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Sumner of the home; his five children, Joe “Butch” Sumner and wife Sharon, Joyce Malone and husband John, Lloyd Sumner and wife Bobbie, Larry Sumner and wife Diana, Ron Sumner and wife Darla; ten grandchildren, Jodi (Matt) Hickman, Jason (Mary) Sumner, Michelle (Ashley Smith), Shawn (Denise) Malone, Keara (Scott Brown), Trisha (Jason Foltz), Cindy (Derek McDonnell), Kirk (Robin) Sumner, Drew (Haley) Sumner, and Dylan Sumner; fifteen great grandchildren, Haley, Austin and Jenna Hickman, Cali, Caitlyn and Coleson Foltz, Avery, Morgan and Josie Sumner, Josh and Jake Smith, Mac Sumner, Paxton Sumner, Kennedy and Griffin McDonnell; several nieces, nephews and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas.  Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery.  Family will greet friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday evening at the funeral home. 

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com