Lester Sumner 1934-2026

Lester “Cork” Sumner, Kitchkommie, 91, Hoyt, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 at Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center in Topeka.

He was born Dec. 23, 1934, in Wichita, the son of Cleve and Josephine Sumner. He graduated from Denison High School.

Mr. Sumner served in the U.S. Army in France. He later worked for Goodyear for 23 years and was the first drug and alcohol counselor for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, serving for 14 years.

He was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the Native American Church, where he was a leader for about 40 years and had helped start the local chapter. He was also a member of We-Ta-Se American Legion Post 410 at Mayetta.

He was married to Nanette Pappan for 38 years until her death in 2001. He married Rosemary Bachmurski on March 11, 2011, in Miami, Okla. She survives.

Other survivors include a daughter, Susan Sumner; two granddaughters, Belinda McKinney and Monique Leon; four great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Native American Church Services will be held Friday evening, Jan. 30 at the Nozhackum Hall. Burial with military honors by We-Ta-Se American Legion Post 410 will be held Saturday afternoon, Jan. 31 in the Sumner Family Cemetery. Mr. Sumner will lie in state after 9 a.m. Friday at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hoyt, where a visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.