John Franklin Sumner, Sr.

John Franklin Sumner, Sr.

Born: Tue., Jan. 17, 1939

Died: Sun., Dec. 20, 2015

Visitation

4:00 PM Tue., Dec. 22, 2015

Location: Red Lake Humanities Building

Funeral Service

1:00 PM Thu., Dec. 24, 2015

Location: St. Mary's Catholic Church

John Franklin Sumner, Sr., "Maskokonaye" which means Red Robe, of the Eagle Clan, age 76, of Red Lake, passed away on December 20, 2015 at the Red Lake Hospital in Red Lake with his family by his side. John was born on January 17, 1939 in Red Lake, MN the son of Joseph K. and Mary (Lussier) Sumner.

John grew up and graduated from Red Lake High School. Following graduation he joined the United States Air Force and served his country. When he came back home to Red Lake, he worked various jobs around the community. John was a truck driver for many years. He hauled sugar beats in North Dakota and various items around Red Lake area. He was always a kind, gentle, caring man who had a good sense of humor and loved to help people. Family always came first to John. He liked going to the casino, and spending time with his family. John was very proud to be Hereditary Chief of the Red Lake Nation for several years. John and Donna were united in marriage on October 14, 1960 in Gonvick, MN and later renewed their vows at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Lake.

The family that John joins again are his parents; Joseph and Mary, sister; Margaret May, and sons; Donald Sumner, Sr. and Anthony Hanson.

Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 55 years; Donna of Red Lake, sons; Darwin Sumner and John Sumner, Jr. both of Red Lake, daughters; Lynette (Sam) Hill of Red Lake, Sharon Sumner of Minneapolis, Janet Sumner of Red Lake, and Farrah (Herb) Nelson of Red Lake, special children; Lorena, Mandy, Anissa, and Chad Sumner all of Red Lake, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great- great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

A wake for John will begin at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at the Red Lake Humanities Building and will continue until the 1:00 p.m. service on Thursday, December 24, held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Lake. Father Jerry Rogers will officiate. Active pallbearers will be Donald Sumner, Jr., Brian Sumner, Chad Sumner, Michael Sumner, Chris Sumner, Claude Neadeau, Jr., Lee Neadeau, and Lawrence Oakgrove. Honorary pallbearers are William "Billy" Hill, Charles Kelly, Sr., Tom May, Gerald May, Herbert Nelson, Jr., Sam Hill, Brad Blue, Robert Cook, Mark Macarro, Darren King, Sr. and all Hereditary Chiefs from the Red Lake Nation. Interment will be held in the Sumner Family Burial Grounds at Red Lake following the service.

John's care has been entrusted to the Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be given at http://www.northernpeace.com