Martha (Lewton) Nestrick Sommer

Martha "Nestrick" Sommer, 92, a long-time resident of Vandalia, IL, passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2021, in Springfield, IL. 

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 27, 2021, at Mother of Dolors Catholic Church, 322 N. 7^th St., Vandalia, IL, with Father Scott Snider officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM, prior to the service at the church.

Interment and graveside services will be in Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia, IL, immediately following mass. A celebration of life will be hosted by the family at the Vandalia Country Club, immediately following graveside services.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Fayette County Hospital, 650 W. Taylor St., Vandalia, IL 62471. The family wishes to thank Diane Dooley, Andrea Berry and Jascha Nestrick for their love, companionship and care for Martha in her final years. Arrangements by Miller Funeral Home, 831 N. 5^th Street, Vandalia, IL  62471. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net  

Born on July 20 1928, she was the second child of Harvey & Catherine (Pfrimmer) Lewton of Hull, IL. As a teenager, she lived in California when her parents left Illinois in 1942 to work in the WWII military factories in the LA area. She returned to Illinois in 1945 and graduated HS in Hannibal, MO in 1946.

She married Harold Nestrick on Feb 17, 1946 and lived on the Nestrick family farm in Kinderhook, IL.  They had five children, Dwight, Kevin, Regina, HL and Heidi.   Martha was a home maker, farm wife and mother in the early years when they lived in Kinderhook, Hull, Hardin and then moved to Vandalia in 1962.  Harold was an agent and divisional manager for Country Companies Insurance Company and Sr. Vice President of Old Heritage Life Insurance.  Harold and Martha traveled to a lot of fun places for meetings, conferences and seminars during those years. Prior to Harold’s death in 1978, Martha helped operate Nestrick Magnavox TV and Amana Appliance Store in Vandalia. 

Martha married Vince Sommer, Oconee, IL in 1979. And for the second time in her life she became a farmer’s wife.  Together they were the parents of Vince’s 11 children and Martha’s 5 children all born between 1947 and 1967. The two families often enjoyed large family gatherings for birthdays, fall harvest, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the yearly Sommer Fest at the family farm in Oconee, IL.   Martha and Vince retired from farming in 1993 and moved back to Vandalia to their new home on N. 7^th street, where she lived until her death. 

Martha was active in all her children’s school and church activities, Welcome Wagon and served on several committees at the Vandalia Country Club. She was a 59-year member of VCC. She was an avid golfer till health made her stop at age 85, but she still loved to watch the matches every week on TV.  At the time of her death, she was the oldest living VCC member.  She was also a major Cardinal Fan.  She wore the Cardinal red all the time and her home looked like a Fan Club. She never missed a game.

Her primary career was as a caregiver.  She never missed providing a great meal, new clothes for her kids or hosting a birthday party for all her children or caring for a sick child. They were her life.  She cared for her children as well as the younger Sommer children, including Desiree Sommer who died at home on the farm at age 33 from kidney failure.  Martha also provided comfort and care for her father, husband Vince, through his battle with Alzheimer’s and her sister Betty Gudgel during the final years of her life. Neighbors and friends could count on Martha to lend a hand or provide a meal or a home baked pie. She was always just a call away and willing to help.

She is survived by her children: Dwight (Anne) Nestrick, Evansville, IN, Kevin (Cheri Royer) Nestrick, Bullhead City, AZ, Regina Nestrick (Jack) Hamilton, Mt. Vernon, IL, H.L. (Jodi) Nestrick, Caddo Mills, TX and Heidi (Otis Bias) Nestrick, Quincy, IL., 12 grandchildren: Cathy (Rob) Wiederstein, Evansville, IN, Christy (Jay) Pearison, Cynthiana, IN,  Andrew (Letty) Nestrick Newburgh, IN, Dana (Erin Strand) Nestrick, Elmwood Park, IL, Brian (Grace) Conway, St. Joseph, MI, Robbie (Michelle) Hamilton, Steeleville, IL, Ben Hamilton, Mt. Vernon, IL, Andrea (Gerrid) Berry, Vandalia, IL, Derek (Jascha) Nestrick, Vandalia, IL,  Brittnee (Caleb) Johnson, Caddo Mills, TX, Heath (Keli) Nestrick, Caddo Mills, TX and Christian (Lindsi) Bias, Quincy, IL and 25 great grandchildren: Meg and Chase Wiederstein, Carter, Sophia and Henry Martin, Austin and Issac  Pearison, Stella and Ruthie Nestrick, Rowan and Eleanor Conway, Brooke Cates, Jackson and Avery Hamilton, Madison and Reece Berry, Preston, Kendall and Sydnee Nestrick,  Harlynn, Hazel and Bennett Johnson, Graci and Geri Nestrick and Maverick Bias. She is also survived by 9 step children including the youngest, Lyndon (Hilary) Sommer, St. Louis, MO.

Martha was proceeded in death by 1^st husband Harold Nestrick (1978), 2^nd husband Vince Sommer (2006), her parents, her sister, step daughter Desiree Sommer, step son Kevin Sommer, a granddaughter Kristal Nestrick and two great grandchildren, Hope Nestrick and Reagan Nestrick. She was also proceeded in death by many life-long friends. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martha (Lewton) Nestrick Sommer, please visit our floral store.