Donald "Dean" Summers

PORTAGE – Donald “Dean” Summers, age 86, of Lewiston Township, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2017 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.

Dean was born on April 11, 1931, the son of Archie and Mary “Leone” (Dunning) Summers.  He married the love of his life, Elaine Epstein on November 11, 1950.  Dean served his country for 41 years in the National Guard retiring in 1991.  He was a member of the Briggsville American Legion Post #329.  He enjoyed carpentry, always working on a project for himself or others, and was an avid NASCAR fan. He loved spending time with his family, and was affectionately known as “Uncle Dean” whether related or not.  He was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage.         

He is survived by his children, Gregory Summers, Terry (Dina) Summers, all of Portage, and Susan (Joseph) Riley of Sun Prairie; his grandchildren, Andrea Summers of Endeavor, Tara (Jake) Borchert, of Neenah, Chad (Jaci) Riley, of Shakopee, MN, Joshua and Alena Diehm, of Portage;  his great-grandchildren, Jaide Gavinski, of Neenah, Olivia Summers of Endeavor, Owen, Emma and Nora Riley of Shakopee, MN; his brothers, Keith (Karen) Summers, and Curtis Summers, both of Portage; brothers–in-law, Don Epstein and Jon (Kathy) Epstein, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elaine, and his sisters-in-law, Mary Summers, Anita Epstein, and Lynn Epstein. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, July 31, 2017, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage, with Reverend Greg Hovland officiating.  Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery with Military Honors by the Portage Area Veteran’s Honor Guard.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 30, 2017, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home (www.pmmfh.com) in Portage, and on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the church.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.