Nora J. Miller

MILLERSBURG -- Nora J. Sommers, 77, of Millersburg, went home to be with her Lord on March 2, 2017. She was born on Oct. 12, 1939, to John and Fannie Miller of Millersburg.

Surviving are her husband of 53 years, Levi B. Sommers; their son and daughter-in-law, John Brian and Lillie Sommers of Millersburg; sisters, Esther (Raymond) Miller of Millersburg and Iva (Clarence) Yutzy of Berlin; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters and three brothers.

Nora graduated from Aultman School of Nursing in 1963. After working briefly as a staff nurse, she switched to private duty nursing, working for 15 years in Canton, Sarasota, Fla., and the greater Los Angeles area. She established strong, long-term relationships with many of her patients.

She published three books, writing two and compiling one. She especially enjoyed studying the scriptures, teaching adult Sunday school classes, engaging in intercessory prayer and ministering to people on a one-on-one basis. Her life verse was Jeremiah 29:13, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

For much of her adult life, Nora struggled with a variety of health issues, experiencing many answers to prayer and several healing miracles. In 2014, she suffered a couple of strokes which virtually destroyed her short-term memory and severely impaired her vision and space-time cognitive ability. In spite of these difficulties, however, Nora continued to be cheerful, optimistic and grateful. Until the end, she rejoiced in the goodness of God, occasionally breaking out in singing old hymns and praise choruses from "the good old days."

Calling hours will be Saturday, March 4, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Grace Mennonite Church in Berlin, and Sunday from 1-2 p.m. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the church, with pastor Larry Kaufman officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Alexander Funeral Home, Millersburg.