Leroy Sumner

Leroy P. Sumner, 79 of Petoskey, died February 19, 2021 at his home.

Leroy was born on June 15, 1941 in Boyne City, MI, the son of Philo and Beatrice (Bess) Sumner and was raised in Boyne City and graduated from Boyne City High School with the class of 1960.  In September of that year, Leroy married the love of his life, the former Patsy Nessen.

Leroy went to work at the Charlevoix County Road Commission as a Mechanic before going to work at Great Lakes Energy as a Lineman in 1964.  This was a career he held until he retired 35 years later.   In retirement, Leroy continued to serve his community as he served on the Bear Creek Twp. Planning Commission and for 18 years as a Trustee with Bear Creek Twp.   He also served on the Emmet County Road Commission as a Commissioner for 17 years, as well as serving on the DPW Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.

On almost any given day, you could frequently find Leroy tinkering in his garage or fixing cars of friends or family.  He enjoyed the outdoors and traveling and was especially proud that he had been in all 50 states.  He also enjoyed mushrooming, fishing in Canada, and loved hunting, especially out west in Wyoming where he enjoyed antelope and elk hunting and the people were like family to him.  One of his most prized elk mounts he brought home from one of his trips out west was proudly displayed at the Pellston Regional Airport for many years.  He was a lifetime member of the Boyne City Masonic Lodge.   

He is survived by his wife, Patsy; daughter, Barbara (Rich) Smith of Alanson; 2 grandchildren, Dominic (Sara) Sumner and Sabrina (Stephen) Redmer; 6 great grandchildren, Alexis, Seth, and Danica Sumner and their mother, Krysten Hager, as well as by Kinsley Sumner, and Braylon and River Redmer; step-great granddaughter, Chloe Richards; siblings Robert Sumner, Randy (Pam) Sumner, Darlene Braun, and Roxanne (fiancé, Ron Windish) Bascom; sister-in-law, Judy Sumner; brother-in-law, Ron (Coleen) Nessen; and by many nieces and nephews.

Leroy was preceded in death by a son, Edward Sumner; a grandson, Andrew Sumner; and by siblings, Thomas Sumner and Gaylee Anderson.

The family will receive friends at the Stone Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 23rd from 5-8pm and on Wednesday, February 24th from 10-11am, with a service celebrating Leroy’s life immediately following at 11am. 

Those wishing to honor Leroy’s memory are asked to make a donation to the Petoskey United Methodist Church or the McLaren Hospice of Petoskey. 

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