He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Joan Johnley Sommer; daughters Joan Ellen Frist, Anne Marie (Richard) Wagner, Maureen (Michael) Bassler, Regina (John) Arms; sons Ralph Barney (Paula) Sommer Jr. and Mark F. (Bridget) Sommer; loving grandfather to 18 grandchildren, Richard, David, Christopher, Matthew, Mary Elizabeth, Margaret, Joshua, John Jr., Michelle, Kathryn, Danielle, Lauren, Susan, Victoria, Daniel, Thomas, Therese, and Bernadette; and 14 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by two sisters, Bernadine (Eugene) Gemperline of Cincinnati and Eileen (Howard) Gemperline of Delta, Utah; and a brother, Robert L. (Phyllis) Sommer of Fairfield, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by parents, Bernard C. and Frieda C. Brunner Sommer; and sister Helen M. Meyer.
Mr. Sommer was a graduate of Holy Redeemer High School and Xavier University, Cincinnati. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a navigator on a B17 attached to the 8th Air Force based in England. He flew 29 bombing missions over Europe and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Mr. Sommer retired from Goodyear Atomic Corp. in Piketon and volunteered for many years at Goodwill Industries Inc. and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Holy Redeemer Church.
Visitation to be held on Wednesday, March 24, at Melcher Funeral Home in Portsmouth from 6 to 8 p.m. with Recitation of The Rosary following. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Redeemer Church on Thursday, March 25, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Dwayne McNew will be the Celebrant.
Memorials may be made to: Holy Redeemer Church, 1325 Gallia St., Portsmouth, OH 45662; Bayley Place, 990 Bayley Place Drive, Cincinnati, OH (45233); or The Ralph B. and Joan J. Sommer Book Endowment. c/o Notre Dame High School, 2220 Sunrise Ave., Portsmouth, OH 45662.
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