Irvin “Irv” H. Summers, 86, of Wampum, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, July 30, 2021. He was born on Jan. 6, 1935 in Bessemer, Pennsylvania to the late Wilbur and Helen (Brown) Summers. He married his high school sweetheart, Dolores (Brodbeck) Summers on August 24, 1957. They were married for 63 years. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, supporting them in all of their extracurricular activities.
In 1952, Irv graduated from Mt. Jackson High School and continued his education with a certification in electronics from DeVry University, Chicago, Illinois. He started his career with his brother owning a television and appliance store in Bessemer. For forty years he pursued his career as an electronic technician until his retirement.
He was a born-again Christian and actively participated in his local church. He served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Rangers, changing the lives of young boys to focus on Jesus. Irvin was a member of Acts of Mercy Ministry Outreach (AMMO), an organization that ministered to homeless people in Pittsburgh. Later in life, he was a leader of Warriors of the Word, a senior recreational group at Word Alive Church in Ellwood City, PA. At the core of his being, Mr. Summers had a servant’s heart. As a young man, he was a volunteer fireman for the Bessemer Fire Department. He consistently ministered to others by being available and
providing help whenever it was needed. He would arrive with a vast array of tools: chainsaw, plumbing equipment, lawn mower, electrical wire, and a willingness to give of himself in order to repair, build, or change the landscape of whatever project was before him. Picking up elderly, disabled, and under privileged children to attend services in the church van was yet another way he reached out to and served others.
In his early years, he enjoyed playing in softball and bowling leagues. He was a Pittsburgh sports fan and enjoyed watching the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates. Irv was an avid outdoorsman, spending many mornings splitting wood and enjoying God’s Creation. In his retirement, he traveled extensively
throughout the United States and also toured Europe. He shared his love of sports with his sons by coaching their little league baseball. His passion for
hunting was passed onto his children and grandchildren as they spent time together at the family camp in Tionesta, Pennsylvania.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Winifred Brentin, his brother Wilbur Summers, Jr., his brother Gerald Summers, his son-in-law LeRoy Cortez, and his great-granddaughter, Everleigh Jones. He is survived by his wife, Dolores; his children, Susan Cortez, Patrick (Pam) Summers, Mark (Sheri) Summers, and Lee Ann (Reggie) Shearer; his grandchildren, Joseph Cortez, Amanda (Eric) Meyers, Bethany (Wes) Atkinson, Jonathan (Alex) Deitrich-Cortez, Jessica (Leo) Wood, Emily (Joseph) Gibson, Alyssa (Ryan) Jones, Kelly (Joseph) Yergan, and Alan (Julie) Summers; and nine great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank all the workers from Allegheny Health Network for their loving care and compassion. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00p.m. on Tuesday at Marshall Funeral Home, 341 Main St., Wampum. A funeral service will be held at 11a.m. on Wednesday at Word Alive Church, 124 Scenic Hill Blvd., Ellwood City. Pastor Cliff Reynolds will officiate.
Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com
Irv was such a sweet man. He would always ask me how my pup was doing. I believe Belle was waiting for him at the gate the welcome him in. I used to always tell her “irv Summers told me to tell you hello and to give you a big pat on the head”. I am praying for Dee and the family.