Leo Lytle Sommerville April 26, 1916 – October 30, 2010 Lifelong Mesa County resident Leo Lytle Sommerville went to be with his heavenly Father on October 30, 2010. Leo was 94 years old. Leo was born to Charles and Elsie (Lytle) Sommerville in Parker Basin (Collbran, Colorado) on April 26, 1916. The Sommerville family moved to the Grand Valley in 1926. Leo graduated in 1934 from the Fruita Union High School, became a member of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows in 1934 and served as Grand Master of Colorado 1955 - 1956. Leo was a member of the Mesa County Farm Bureau Organization, Director of Mesa County Beet Growers Association and Chairman of the Committee in Mesa County in the successful effort to salvage the Holly Sugar Processing Plant in Delta, Colorado 1960 - 61. Leo served on the Governing Board of the Lower Valley Hospital in Fruita from 1962 - 69. Leo enjoyed time spent with family and friends. He loved the time he spent farming with his brother, Lloyd, on their ranch in Fruita, CO. His hobbies were camping, fishing, and traveling. Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Elsie Sommerville; three sisters, Lorene (Sommerville) Nichols, Leona (Sommerville) Porter and LaVern (Sommerville) Byers. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Patricia (Janes) Sommerville of Grand Junction; two daughters, Vicky (Richard) Martin of Grand Junction, and Roberta Dalton of Fruita; four grandchildren, John Wilkerson of Grand Junction; Renae (Allen) Phillips of Grand Junction; Will (Ashley) Hart of Gillette, Wyoming and Angela Hart of Whitewater; two great grandsons, Jade Wilkerson of Grand Junction; Korbin Wilkerson of Grand Junction; one great granddaughter, Samantha Hart of Gillette, Wyoming; one brother, Lloyd Sommerville of Lakewood, CO; several nieces and nephews. At the request of Leo to his wife and family, cremation has taken place and a private family service will take place at a later date. On behalf of Leo Sommerville, contributions may be made in his name to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado. Snell-McLean Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
Published in The Daily Sentinel on November 2, 2010