Peggy L. Summerville

MARION - Peggy Lou Summerville, age 91, passed away January 16, 2017, at St. Luke Hospital in Marion, Kansas.  She was born in Santa Ana, California, on April 23, 1925.  She was the only child born of Irvin and Alice (Janzen) Gerstenkorn.  She attended Kindergarten thru second grade in California.  The family moved to Marion, Kansas, in 1933, where she attended school.  She was a 1943, graduate of Marion High School, where she was the valedictorian of her class.

That summer she attended Emporia State University earning an emergency teaching certificate due to WWII.  She taught for one year 1943-1944 in a country school near the town of Antelope.  She had 5 students in the following grades:  two in 3rd, one in 5th, one in 6th, and one in 8th.  She bought a 1933 Chevrolet with the $85/month salary she made while teaching.  She called this car Suicide Sal.

During the summer of 1944, she moved back to Santa Ana, and lived with her grandparents.  She worked at a Goodyear plant.  In September, she returned to Marion, where she worked for OPA (Office of Price Administration).  She was in charge of gas coupons, as gas was rationed during the war.  After a year, she decided to return to Emporia State University to further her education.

She fell in love with Jack Q. Summerville, whom she had known since the 3rd grade.  They were united in marriage on January 25, 1946, at Valley United Methodist Church. They relocated to Wichita in 1949.  Peggy worked in the secretarial pool for Boeing for 20 years, and raised her family.  In 1976, they would return to Marion.  Peggy worked part-time for the Marion County Record for several years.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack on July 10, 2014, and a son-in-law Andrew Maki.

She is survived by a son, John Summerville and wife Becky of Marion; a daughter, Jeanne Maki of Marion; 2 grandchildren:  Stephanie Harris and husband Jeff of Salina, and Jason Summerville and wife Sara of Wellsville; and 4 great-grandchildren:  Parker Harris, Carson Harris, Will Harris and Ellie Summerville.

The Funeral Service will be held at Noon at Saturday, January 21, 2017, at Valley United Methodist Church in Marion.  The Interment will be in the Marion Cemetery.  Memorial Funds have been established for Marion City Library or Valley United Methodist Church in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm, Marion, KS, 66861.  Online Condolences may be left at www.zeinerfuneralhomes.com.