Charles L. "Charlie" Summe

Charles Louis (Charlie) Summe passed peacefully into eternal life on June 12, 2022, at the age of 94 years. He was surrounded by his 10 children in the beloved Ft. Mitchell home he resided in for over 61 years. Born on August 18, 1927, in Covington, Ky, Charlie was the youngest of 7 boys, born to Isabelle and Frank Summe, a partner in the Summe & Ratermann Dairy. Charlie attended St. Joseph and Blessed Sacrament Schools before moving on to St. Xavier High School and Xavier University. In 1960, Charlie ran for and served two years in the Kentucky State House of Representatives. Charlie was elected Kenton County Commissioner in 1962, an office that he would hold for 32 years. His strength of character, as well as a deep conviction for honesty and ideals, remained the foundation of his service and governance. Humble and kind matched perfectly with commissioner Summe, who was notably recognized for his simple plain white t-shirts and khaki pants. Charlie married Jane Terwort on July 8, 1961, and thus began their family of 10 children. One of the greatest rewards of fatherhood, in addition to his 9 married children and 40+ grandchildren was the priestly ordination of his son Father Matthew Summe, LC, in Rome in 2007. Charlie’s trust in God’s mercy and love never wavered, even as he suffered the last two years without his beloved wife Jane by his side. Charlie leaves behind his 10 children: Krista (Jeff) Wilmink, Daniel (Peggy) Summe, Kurt (Jennifer) Summe, Brian (Jennifer) Summe, Sheila (Scott) Cooney, Betsy (Gerry) Greenwell, Jennifer (Kevin) Long, Father Matthew Summe, LC, Scott (Karen) Summe and Chad (Kristin) Summe, as well as his beloved 40 grandchildren: Nick (Josephine) Wilmink, Noah Wilmink, Madeline Wilmink, Nathan Wilmink, Michaela Summe, Paige Summe, Dominic Summe, Caleb Summe, Ian Summe, Duncan Summe, Emma Summe, Ava Summe, Matthew Summe, Michael Summe, Kaitlyn Summe, Chloe Summe, Luke Summe, Josh Summe, Emily Cooney Couch (Kyle), Sean Cooney (Sydney), Claire Cooney Boyle (Max), Caroline Cooney Delph (Ryan), Isabella Cooney, Christian Greenwell (Mallory), Libby Greenwell, Meghan Greenwell, Ben Greenwell, Ellie Greenwell, Kylie Long, Anna Long, Ethan Long, Ella Long, Josie Summe, Anthony Summe, Christopher Summe, Gianna Summe, Grace Summe, Mia Summe, Charlotte Summe, Louie Summe and 3 great grandchildren, Stella and Oliver Couch, and Carson Delph. Visitation will be held 8:00-11:00 am on Friday, June 17, 2022, at Blessed Sacrament Church, with Mass of Christian Burial immediately following. Memorial contributions can be made to Covington Catholic High School, in care of: The Charles and Jane Summe Memorial Scholarship, or to LC Pastoral Services care of: Father Matthew Summe LC, Legionaries of Christ, 8162 Chestershire Drive, Cincinnati OH, 45241.