Rudolph W. Sommer, 80, of rural Marissa, IL; born September 12, 1931 in Baldwin, IL; died Thursday, March 8, 2012 at his residence.

Mr. Sommer farmed with his brother Louie and assisted managing their farm in Missouri. Rudolph was known to turn down a ride home from the fields for a meal just to enjoy taking a long walk through the field with Mother Nature. He was a United States Army Korean War Veteran serving from 1952 to 1954.

Mr. Sommer was preceded in death by his parents Ferdinand and Emilie, nee Luebkemann, Sommer, 2 brothers, Ferdinand Sommer and Fred Sommer; a sister, Goldie Bollmeier; two nephews, Nolan Falkenhein and Wayne Behnken; Four brothers-in-law; Arkell Bollmeier, Leonard Ohm, Carl Behnken and Adolph Falkenhein; a sister-in-law Helen Sommer; and two nephews-in-law; Richard Dethrew and Martin Wright.

Survivors are a brother Louie Sommer; seven sisters, Mathilda Sommer, Emilie Sommer, Frieda Sommer, Lena Behnken, Augusta Ohm, Ella Falkenhein, Leona (Joseph) Braun; many nieces and nephews and his beloved companion, Gipper.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice or to the donor’s choice.

Visitation: Friends may call at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL on Sunday, March 11, 2012 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm and on Monday, March 12, 2012 from 9:00am to 2:00pm.

Funeral: Services will be held at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 2:00pm with Rev. John Taggatz officiating.

Interment: Burial will be held in the Baldwin City Cemetery in Baldwin, IL.