Howard Mark Summers

On the first official day of summer, June 20, 2025, Howard Mark Summers, AKA Summertime, Holly Rock, Rock Daddy, passed this life peacefully at 9:17 am at Accolade Healthcare.

Howard was the middle child of seven born to Margaret (Humphery) Summers-Keys and Walter J. Summers. Howard attended Washington and Collett grade schools, Southview Junior High, was a 1971 graduate of Danville High School, and attended Danville Junior College (DACC).

After working a variety of jobs in Danville, Carbondale, IL, and Terre Haute, IN, Howard joined the United States Air Force in 1978. He completed his military and law enforcement training in Texas and spent the bulk of his career serving as an MP (Military Police). During his 14-year career, Howard served at bases around the world, including Knob Noster, MO; Lakenheath, England; Omaha, NE; Adana, Turkey; and Fussa, Japan. In 1992, he was honorably discharged in Elgin, FL. Howard moved to nearby Ft Walton Beach, FL, where his daughter, and love of his life, Olivia, was born.

He returned to Danville in March 2023, where he still had several close friends. He greatly enjoyed his previous job as a bus monitor for Danville School District 118, where he became a friend and mentor to many young people.

Howard had a very positive, dynamic, and honest personality, and he easily formed loyal, long-lasting relationships wherever he went. Howard's interests included playing cards, dominoes, and billiards. He was an avid follower of the NFL, especially his beloved Raiders. He also enjoyed music, particularly Rock and R&B. Howard attended many concerts and festivals, both in the United States and abroad, and was possibly the world's biggest Jimi Hendrix fan.

He is survived by his sisters, Yvonne Summers and Candy Summers, and brother Doran "Roland" (Kelly) Summers. He lives on through his much-cherished daughter, Olivia Margaret Summers, who continually filled him with pride and joy. Also surviving him are special family members, including Sally Hird (Olivia's mother), Susanna Hayes, and Denisha Rowles (Olivia's sisters). Finally, he will be sorely missed by his many friends, old and new.

Howard was preceded in death by his mother and father, as well as his siblings Joseph, Joann, Timmy, and Belinda a niece, Lavonder D. Miles; and a nephew, Vaughn "Tank" Isom.

Those friends and his family would like to thank all of Howard's caregivers, including but not limited to: Carle Clinic Danville, OSF Danville and Peoria, the Danville

VA Medical Center, CRIS Senior Services, OSF Hospice, and Accolade Healthcare.

Per his wishes, Howard will be cremated and buried with military honors at the Danville National Cemetery, 1900 E. Main St., Danville, IL Tuesday July 22, 2025 at 11:00 am. Leek & Sons Funeral Home, 304 E. Williams, Danville, IL.  are assisting in arrangements. Memories and photos may be shared on The Leek and Sons website, leakandsonfuneralhome.com.

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