Howard B. Somers

Howard B. Somers, Jr., 97, of Naples, FL, formerly of Elyria, OH, died Saturday, December 25, 2010 at Naples Community Hospital Healthcare Inc. after a short illness. He was born May 5, 1913 in Elyria, Ohio. He lived most of his life in Elyria and moved permanently to Florida in 1993. Mr. Somers was the owner and sales associate for the Somers Agency Inc., Lorain. He graduated from Elyria High School in the January Class of 1932. He graduated from the Oberlin School of Commerce and was being trained to fly military planes for the Civilian Air Patrol when the war ended. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Elyria and more recently the First Presbyterian Church of Naples, FL. He was past president of the Lorain County Insurance Agents Association, and past trustee and president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Ohio. He was voted "Boss of the Year" by the Insurance Women of Lorain County. He was a member of American Legion Post #30, Lorain, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, and a member of Lorain County Historical Society. He served as past president of the Lorain, Ohio, Lions Club and was a Melvin Jones Fellow of Lions International. Howard was recognized as a 70 year member of the Lion's Club in 2010. He served as president of the board of Vision Rehabilitation Center in Elyria, Ohio, and as Director Emeritus of the Vocational Guidance Services, Lorain County Division. He was a member of the Elyria County Club, Elyria, Ohio and the Wyndemere County Club, Naples, Florida. He was a member of the King Solomon Masonic Lodge #56, Elyria, Ohio; the Al Koran Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. of Cleveland; the Lodge Council Chapter Consistory; the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Cleveland; Jesters Cleveland Court #14; the Lorain County Shrine Club and the Billenkin Club in Florida. He enjoyed golf, boating, fishing, bridge, travel and spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife of 10 years, Jeanenne J. Mrosek-Somers (nee Pierson); son, William O. (Judy Riddle) Somers of Vermilion, OH; daughters, Susan (Roger) Sherman of Whitefish, MT, and Laura (Neal) Caya of Redondo Beach, CA; grandson, Mike (Susan) Sherman; granddaughters, Meredith ( Matt ) Gargasz, Melissa Somers, Brooke (Scott) Barton, and Kerry Caya; 7 great grandchildren, Zachery, Maxwell and Samuel Gargasz, Lonnie and Josephine Sherman and Lukas and Meaghan Fichtner; great-great granddaughter, Ariana Ensign, step daughter, Paula (Ciprano) Alvarado, Saybrook Township, OH; step grandsons, Matthew Alvarado, Craig and Mark Riddle; a nephew, James Howard Smith and a niece, Molly (Todd) Sommer. Preceding him in death were his parents, Howard B. and Lulu L. (nee Hurst) Somers, Sr.; his first wife, Mary Somers, March 1, 1998; his granddaughter, Leslie Somers in 1977 and sister, Harriett Smith in 2005. A memorial service will be held January 10, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Naples, 250 6th Street, Naples, FL. The Reverend Dr. Edward Thompson will officiate. Burial will be in Brookdale Cemetery, Elyria. Memorial contributions are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church of Naples, 250 6th Street, Naples, FL 34102 or the Lorain, Ohio, Lions Club, P.O. Box 298, Lorain, Ohio 44052. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.