Roger A. Sommer, 85, of Urbana, passed away peacefully at 12:09 a.m., Wednesday, April 27th, 2016 surrounded by his family. Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., Monday, May 2nd at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Rd. Funeral services will be held immediately following the visitation at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Dennis Anglin will officiate. Burial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Urbana, with the Urbana American Legion Post #71 performing military rites.

Roger was born April 14, 1931 in Fisher, Illinois to parents Henry and Beulah (McClain) Sommer. He married Phyllis Rhoades on January 10, 1970 in Urbana, Illinois; she survives. Also surviving are children: Mike Sommer, of Decatur, Illinois, Sue Wade (Bill), of Savoy, Illinois, Ron Sommer, of Champaign, Illinois, Karen Kalal (Bob), of Ogden, Illinois, Barb Entzian-Tucker (Jon), of South Bend, Indiana, Kevin Sommer, of Knoxville, Tennessee, step-children: Rick Powell, of San Diego, California, Sherry Roberts (Larry), of Champaign, Illinois, Debbie Gilliam (Gary), of Potosi, Missourri, and Linda Powell, of Fort Myers, Florida. Roger is also survived by siblings, Barb Webber, of Urbana, Illinois and Shirley Ellis, Avenger, Texas. Roger was preceded in death by his parents and step-daughter, Sheila Kyle.

After high school, Roger was drafted into the United States Marine Corps. He then began work as a welder and large machine operator for Swift and Co. Soy Bean Mill. Though the company went through various changes (eventually becoming ADM), Roger continued to work his way up the ranks, becoming Foreman. It was during this time Roger was elected President of the Grain Millers Union. Even though he was highly skilled and had worked for the company for more than 38 years, massive layoffs at ADM forced Roger to seek employment at the Maintenance Department of the University of Illinois. Then, eight years later, Roger suffered a heart attack that required open-heart surgery, causing his early retirement.

Perhaps because of his military background, Roger was sometimes perceived as a stoic, no-nonsense man. But those who knew him knew that he was a sensitive, gentle person, was kind to everyone he met, and "never knew a stranger." Roger was the rock of his family and loved spending time with them and reading Billy Goat Gruff to his grandchildren. He enjoyed history, country western music, and old western movies. He expressed himself creatively by writing poetry, many to his beloved wife. Roger and Phyllis loved traveling to see family as well as time alone. Their favorite place to visit was Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, where they took long walks on the beach walking hand in hand and enjoying the waves and salty air. Roger was loved by family and friends and will be missed dearly. However, his love will remain in our hearts forever and we will cherish all the great memories knowing that we will be together again someday in heaven.

Memorial contributions may be made to Carle Cancer or Heart Center. Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.