Dennis Paul Summers, of Springfield, formerly of Dixon, was born on March 27, 1951, at Chico, California, a son of Thomas Paul and Flavia Dell (Fillmore) Summers, and departed this life in the Mercy Hospital Springfield, Springfield. Mr. Summers had attained the age of 61 years, 10 months, and 5 days.

Mr. Summers was preceded in death by one son, John Paul Summers on February 9, 2011; his father on June 11, 1955; his mother on September 13, 2001; his step-father, B.W. Barshow in May 1992; and one brother, Kenneth Barshow in February 1993.

Mr. Summers was the art teacher at the Dixon R1 School District for over ten years. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing but, Mr. Summers' true passion was painting.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Summers include: one daughter and son-in-law, Jessica and James Wheeler, Springfield; one son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Crystal Thomas, Monroe, Louisiana; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ron and Marty Clements, Jefferson City and Doug and Karen Summers, Poplar Bluff; one sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Herbert Adkins, Troy; one grandson, Kyler Cole Thomas; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Mr. Summers at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 5, 2013, in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Dixon, with Pastor Darrell Mead, Sparta Assembly of God Church, Sparta, officiating. In honor of Mr. Summers, many of his art pieces were displayed at the service.

Interment was held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 6, 2013, in the Patterson Cemetery, Patterson, Missouri, under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon. Pallbearers for Mr. Summers were Bob Watson, James Wheeler, Buzz Downing, Chris Tilly and Matt White.

Memorial contributions are suggested by the family to the American Heart Association with envelopes available at the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home, Dixon.