Eric William Summers

Staff Sergeant Eric William Summers, 32, a native of Poplar Bluff, MO, died Wednesday, November 13, 2013, in Camp Pendleton, CA.

Eric was born June 7, 1981 in Poplar Bluff, to Wayne and Melodie (Howard) Summers.

After graduating from Poplar Bluff High School in 1999, and attending Three Rivers Community College for one year, he joined the Marine Corps July 11, 2000, and began serving his country.

While serving, Eric deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, and OIF II from 2004-2005. He completed two deployments to Helmand Province Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2009-2010, and deployed again supporting OEF in 2011. Most recently, while stationed at Camp Pendleton, he deployed in support of OEF 12.2.

His personal decorations include: Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device in lieu of third award, Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal and Good Conduct Medal in lieu of third award.

On June 23, 2001 he married Andrea Linnet Vaughn in Poplar Bluff. She survives of the home, along with their daughter Alexia Marie.

Eric loved being a Marine, golfing, motorcycling and spending time with his family and their dog Kara.

Survivors include his wife Andrea, their daughter Alexia of Oceanside, CA; his parents Wayne and Melodie Summers of Poplar Bluff; a brother Darren Summers and wife Lane, of Springfield, MO; grandmother Barbara Howard Smith of Puxico, MO; in-laws Bill and Jan Vaughn of Holts Summit, MO; a brother in-law Derek Vaughn of Desloge, MO; a sister in-law Carrie Thurner, her husband Josh and their children Ashtin, Tyler and Jonathan Thurner, all of Poplar Bluff; grandmother in-laws Helen Vaughn of Poplar Bluff, and Mary Heberlie of St. Louis, MO; as well as aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Bill and Aileen Summers, and Elbert Howard Jr., and step-grandfather Wilbert Smith.

Memorial services for Eric Summers will take place at First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, MO. Visitation will be 5:00pm - 8:00pm Friday, December 13th and the Funeral Service at 10:00am Saturday, December 14th with Matthew Drayton, LT, CHC, USN, officiating. Interment will be at City Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Staff Sergeant Eric W. Summers to the EOD Warrior Foundation at 33735 Snickersville Turnpike, Suite 201, PO Box 309, Bluemont, VA 20135; Injured Warrior Semper Fi Fund at 825 College Blvd, Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057 or the Benefit Account for Alexia Summers, c/o First Midwest Bank, PO Box 160, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902.