Donald Somers

Donald W. Somers of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2021 at the age of 85.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on July 11 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis. Memorials to Lake City’s Historic Central School Preservation would be appreciated.

Don was born September 5, 1935, and spent his childhood in Lake City, Iowa. He was a member of a large family, with three brothers, Dick, Leonard, and Bill, and three sisters, Francis Alice, Rena, and Doris. They all preceded him in death as did his father (Milo) Clyde Somers, mother Bessie Leona (Smith) Somers, and stepfather Walter Sherer.

Don graduated from Lake City High School in 1954 and married the late Sandra Lee of Lake City in 1956. He attended Iowa State University, graduating with a degree in Agricultural Journalism in 1958. His first job was at Wayne Feeds in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and he spent the majority of his career as Creative Director and Senior Vice President at advertising agency The Brady Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He retired in 1996.

Don was married to Sylvia Maiuri of Indianapolis from 1996 until his passing. He is survived by his children Don (Debbie) Somers of Anchorage, Alaska, Tim (Susan) Somers of Hartford, Wisconsin, and Sara (Ed) Perlberg of Vallejo, California and by his stepchildren; Josh (Jenni) Morehead and Luke (Jill) Morehead, both of Indianapolis, as well as Kim Goldman, Kate Roemer, Mark Roemer, and Kurt Roemer. He is further survived by grandchildren Brett (Erin) Somers of Milwaukee, Kaitlyn (Rachel) Somers of Zurich, Switzerland, Dan and Josef Somers, both of Anchorage, and Maddie, Abby, Joseph, Sophie, and Charlie Morehead, all of Indianapolis. He was also blessed with great-grandchildren Clyde and Addie Somers of Milwaukee and Finley and Ruby Somers of Zurich.

Music was an important part of Don’s life. As an adult, he fell in love with the banjo, playing it many hours each week. He travelled the country to participate in music camps and take lessons from master musicians. He shared his love of the banjo with everyone in his life, even giving video lessons to grandchildren Brett and Kaitlyn for many years (they wear banjo tattoos in his honor).