Joe Ben Summers

Funeral services for Joe Ben Summers, 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 30, 2017 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Summers passed away at 7:47 a.m., Sunday, March 26, 2017 at his home.

He was born January 3, 1935, in Howell County, Missouri, to Thomas Benton Summers and Georgia Mustion Summers.  On January 24, 1959, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Gladys Louise Hunter, who preceded him in death on August 9, 2005; to this union three children were born:  Cassie Louise Summers House, Vicky Jo Callahan and Richard Joe Summers.  Mr. Summers was a veteran, having served in the United States Army.  Joe Ben was a farmer all of his life.  In his younger years he was a member of the Summers 4-H Club, he won many awards and medals with his animals and livestock judging.  One of his biggest accomplishments was attending the National 4-H Congress in Chicago, Illinois.  Some of the biggest joys of his life were his kids and grandkids, his farm and animals, driving around and visiting neighbors.  He loved telling stories about past events, fishing and coon hunting.  Mr. Summers was a Baptist and was very strong in his faith.  He attended Faith Chapel Freewill Baptist Church when he was able.

He is survived by three children, Cassie Louise Summers House and Tony House, Vicky Jo Callahan and husband, Jack and Richard Joseph Summers and wife, Peggy; eight grandchildren, Amy Long Denman, Jason Ray House and wife, Stephanie, Jessica Dawn House, Jackie Lee Callahan and wife, Amy, Jodi LaRae Rector and husband, Toby, Joseph Cody Summers, Jacob Catlin Summers and Shelby Jade Summers; thirteen great-grandchildren, John and Ryan Long, Cooper House, Taylor House, Blaze, Alexia and Kindel Bishop, Jenna, Kassidy and Kamden Rector and Whitlee, Jaxen and Kelsey Callahan; and many special family members, neighbors and friends.

His parents, wife, one brother, John Bill Summers, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bob and Gertie Hunter, two sisters-in-law, Wilma Bagwell and husband, Earl and Goldie Ballinger, and niece Estyla Ballinger, precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Valley Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Howell Valley Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.