Brian Keith Summers, age 51, of Jerseyville, Illinois, died peacefully on Thursday, May 16th, 2024, in the intensive care unit of Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He was surrounded by the love of his family.
Brian was born on October 25th, 1972, in St. Louis, Missouri to Don and Lori Summers. He spent his school years growing up in Texas, and he was the middle child of five happy siblings. He attended Southlake Carroll High School where he was loved by many friends thanks to his sense of humor and quick wit. He excelled in athletics, playing baseball and soccer in middle school and varsity football and basketball in high school. As much as Brian enjoyed participating in athletics, he was also a big fan of several sports teams. He especially loved rooting for his favorite teams including the Notre Dame football team and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Brian also loved animals, especially those that became his pets. He once came home from a third grade Easter program with a baby chick. Naturally, he named it Cujo. It grew into a Banty hen that laid eggs for years. He also had several cats through the years that he loved very much.
Brian discovered his passion after high school among the Arts, particularly theater and literature. A talented writer, Brian was never better at expressing himself than when he was busy at the keyboard of his favorite typewriter or laptop. He authored many short stories, plays, poems, and screen plays. Each one held a dedication page to a beloved family member or a close friend. Brian’s wit shines through the themes and characters of his stories, delivering smiles to his audience, often when least expected. As Brian wrote in the preface to his book of poems, Gentle Rain, “What I was doing was picturing life from a different angle, and this is what most of my writings are about. I look at situations in a different way, my way.”
Brian’s writing skills led him to live in interesting locations in California, Europe and Puerto Rico. He developed a love of reading and was especially fond of public libraries wherever he lived. He often spent time working and volunteering at local libraries, sharing his love for literature and reading with young and old alike. He once had a job reading to children during “story time,” and he also volunteered to bring library books to the elderly and homebound. Brian was often eager to volunteer his help to those in need. He also enjoyed volunteering at local live theaters, supporting the acting profession through endless hours of personal time and dedication.
Brian is survived by his father, Don Summers of Cedar Park, TX, and his four siblings, Kim Bieron of Williamsburg, VA, Jeff Summers of Holly Springs, NC, Aimee Boyd of Cedar Park, TX and Piper Horton of Burke, VA – and a much loved pet, a black cat named Sammy.
Brian was preceded in death by his mother, Lori Summers and his grandparents, Fergus and Mildred Summers, and Renard and Catherine Hagen, all of Jerseyville.
A memorial Mass is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Friday, July 12 at Holy Ghost church in Jerseyville. Following the Mass, burial will take place in St. Anselm Cemetery in Kampsville, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Brian may be made to the Jerseyville Public Library, attention Judy Pruitt, Director, 105 N. Liberty Street, Jerseyville, IL 62052.
Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville has been entrusted with arrangements.
Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com.
