Jon Roland Sommer

Jon Roland Sommer, 72, died peacefully and surrounded by close family on December 16, at Garden Spot Village in New Holland, PA.

Born in Orrville, OH, Jon lived a life immersed in languages, history and music.

As a young child, Jon was influenced by his parents’ musicianship in the church and community, and he became a skilled pianist. Jon graduated with honors from Central Christian High School in Kidron, OH, in 1971 and from Goshen College in Goshen, IN, in 1975, where he majored in history. During college, he studied in Korea through the college’s Study-Service Term (SST) program.

After graduating, Jon’s interest in languages and international travel led him to Germany and Paris, where he earned a degree in French Literature from the Sorbonne. He then returned to the U.S. to study at the University of Cincinnati, completing master’s degrees in German and French Literature while teaching at the Cincinnati Country Day School.

In 1989, Jon returned to Paris to earn a paralegal degree in international law from the Sorbonne. He then moved to New York City to launch his paralegal career at Latham & Watkins LLP, and he cultivated a life in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood. Jon lived in Park Slope for 32 years. His “found family” in the neighborhood—especially his wonderful co-op apartment neighbors—meant the world to him.

Jon took great interest in New York’s diverse neighborhoods and communities, learning about points of interest and leading family on walking tours of historic districts and museums. He especially loved attending symphony concerts and visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

With declining health, Jon moved to Garden Spot Village in 2022 to be closer to family. At Garden Spot, he enjoyed a monthly “Carnegie Hall at Garden Spot Village” concert with family and friends who gathered at Garden Spot’s movie theater to stream live classical concerts.

Once in Pennsylvania, Jon sought out a progressive and inclusive faith community, which he found at New Holland Mennonite Church. As Jon’s health declined, this remarkable congregation surrounded him with love and care.

Jon is preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Brubaker Sommer. He is survived by his father, Donald Lloyd Sommer and his stepmother, Linda Sommer, of Kidron, OH; his brother, Hugh Sommer of Wooster, OH, and sisters Lynn Sommer (Scott Weaver) of New Holland, PA, and Kristen (Evan) Benjamin of Northampton, MA; four nieces and nephews; and two great-nieces. Jon especially enjoyed recent visits from his great-nieces.

Jon and his family are so appreciative of the exemplary and compassionate care he received as a member of Garden Spot Village’s Summerfield Skilled Care Household.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to New Holland Mennonite Church, New Holland, Pennsylvania or to Goshen College LGBTQIA Student Leader Scholarship Endowment, with LGBTQIA Student Leader Scholarship Endowment written in the memo line and mail it to Goshen College Development Office, 1700 South Main Street, Goshen, IN, 46526.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Garden Spot Village Chapel, 433 South Kinzer Avenue, New Holland, PA,  at 2:00 PM. For those who are not able to attend in person, the Celebration of Life may be viewed at: www.gardenspotvillage.org/live.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Groff-High-Eckenroth Funeral Home, Inc., New Holland, PA.