Robert ‘Butch’ Summers, age 77 of Keshena, died on Wednesday, October 3, 2018. Butch was born on October 18, 1940, in Keshena, the son of the late Joseph and Susan (Dodge) Summers. He is an Oneida member, as well as a Menominee descendent. Butch was raised in West Branch and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School, followed by Shawano High School. His police training at the state and federal level, included the Drug Task Force and G.R.E.A.T. Program. Butch dedicated his life to law enforcement for nearly 40 years. His vast career included: serving as a BIA certified officer, sworn in US Marshall, former EMS and coroner, Hunter Safety Instructor, Tribal Housing Security, Menominee Casino Security, Menominee County Dispatch and Menominee Tribal Police officer. He was the first person to ever be elected as the Menominee Tribal Chief of Police. He was currently serving as the Menominee County Sheriff for the past three terms. Butch was united in marriage to Suzette Pamonicutt on November 10, 1978, in Neopit. He was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Community youth were very important to Butch, he donated numerous hours as a basketball coach at both St. Anthony’s and Sacred Heart, as well as t-ball and little league coach. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, being outdoors, college football and visiting the casino. He had a great sense of humor and always looked forward to spending time with family and friends. Butch was extremely proud of his award, naming him Menominee’s strongest man!
Butch is survived by: his wife of 39 years, Suzette; children, Roberta (Daniel) Wescott, Michele (Troy) Czarapata, Joe (Melody) Summers, Angel (Jared Waupoose) Summers, Penny (Jay Teller) Pamonicutt, Emily (Dewey) Thunder, KK (Mike Wescott) Tourtillott, Charlie (Sarah) Tourtillott, Charlee Ann Tourtillott and Allyssa (Gary William) Tourtillott; 30 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; siblings, Sharon Summers, Shirley (Jose) Villerean, Rose Cantrell, Josephine Gladue, Louetta Fowler, Lorraine Barnes, Charlie (Louise) Summers, Harriet Villanueva, Richard (Jerri) Summers, Gloria (Bruce) Nacotee and Steven Summers. He is further survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Nanette Corn, Michael (Thersa) Pamonicutt, Yogi Pamonicutt; special Aunt Jolly (Karen) Waukau; special granddaughters, Skye, Gabby and Summer; special neighbors, the Hawpetoss and Wynos families; along with numerous other relatives and many, many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Susan; his brother, Roger Summers; mother and father-in-law, Yvonne and Bailey Pamonicutt; brothers-in-law, Jonathan Corn, Wheeler Pamonicutt; and fur babies, Bingo, Buster and Nani.
A funeral mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Neopit Tribal School with Rev. Joel Jorres officiating. Burial will be in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Neopit Community Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday until the time of services on Saturday. A parish wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.
The family wished to extend a special thank you to RN Tina Shawano from the Menominee Tribal Clinic, Kristen Wilke from Southern Care Hospice, as well as Dr. Culhane.
“Respect all, and all will respect you!”
~ Sheriff Robert ‘Butch’ Summers
