David Curtis Summerville Sr., 68, of Chicora, a retired Butler County detective and Karns City High School security officer, passed away at his home on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 after a hard fought six month battle with liver cancer.
Born on November 19, 1949 in Butler, David was the son of the late Irvin Dean and Isabella Marcella Heiber Summerville.
He graduated from Butler High School in 1968 and was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving from 1968-1972 aboard the USS Josephus Daniels. Later, David served in the Army Reserves for two years.
“Dave” worked as a Butler County detective from 1975 until his retirement in 2004. Following his retirement, Dave was employed as a security officer at Karns City High School for many years. He was a member of Chicora American Legion Post 642, Parker VFW Post 7073, Happy Hunters Sportsmen’s Club, Chicora Moose Lodge, National Fraternal Order of Police, and Butler County Law Enforcement Association. He also played in the Dew Drop Inn golf league.
Dave, also known as “Summy” or “Big Dave,” enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, going to yard sales, and spending time with family at the cottage and at their camp, “The Owl’s Nest” and telling campfire stories to all who would listen. He was well known for playing softball on numerous teams and hitting home runs in his younger years. He coached many Karns City teams. His infamous animal sounds and his signature “honk” will be forever engrained in the memories of those that were blessed enough to hear them. He was the biggest supporter of his kids and grandkids and will be missed dearly by all of his family and friends. His comforting smile and great big bear hugs will be forever missed.
Surviving is his wife, Mary Kay Riley Summerville, whom he married at Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora on May 2, 1981; three children, David Summerville Jr. and his wife, Ashley, of Chicora, Britney Pollaro and her husband, Steve, of Chicora, and Morgan Kidder and her husband, Patrick, of Kittanning. He leaves behind seven grandchildren, to whom he was a wonderful “Papa”: Paxton and Larkin Summerville, Brody, Brandon, & Trilby Pollaro, and Josie and Teagan Kidder. He is also survived by his siblings, Fred Summerville and his wife, Kathy, Evelyn Weiland, and Phil Summerville and his wife, Lou Ann, all of Butler, and Dean Summerville and his wife, Jessica, of West Sunbury, as well as aunts, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his sister, Arlene Betro, four brothers-in-law, John Riley, Mike Riley, Bernie Riley, and Don Waltman, and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 1 – 3 and 6 – 9 p.m. Friday. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday from the funeral home with the Rev. Wesley Lewis, pastor of the Limestone/Reesedale Church of God, officiating. Interment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in the Village of North Oakland. Loyal Order of the Moose of Chicora will conduct a memorial service for their departed brother at 5:45 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Karns City Athletic Department, c/o Brian Markle, 1446 Kittanning Pike, Karns City, PA 16041. For additional information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.