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John E. Summers
John Eugene Summers, 81, of Gladstone, Missouri, formerly of Junction City, Kansas, died August 1, 2026, at his home.
He was born February 22, 1945, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Louis Jeriel Summers Sr. and Geraldine Sue (Thomson) Summers. He grew up in Malden, Missouri, where he graduated from Malden High School in 1963. He attended Memphis State University and served three years in the United States Army.
In 1966, he married Myrna Gayle Tolbert of Gideon, Missouri. They shared 42 years of marriage before her death in 2008.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his sister, Sue Thomson Willcut; his son-in-law, Curt Knoth; and his nephew, Mark D. Willcut.
John spent his career in Junction City, first in banking, where he served as chairman of the Kansas Savings and Loan Board of Governance, and later in real estate as owner of John E. Summers & Co. Realtors. He retired in 2016.
Throughout his life, he remained active in his community. He served as president of the Junction City Jaycees and the Junction City Chamber of Commerce. In his younger years, he enjoyed golfing and boating with friends. Later, he could often be found at the Elks Lodge with five dollars on the game. His idea of relaxation was mowing the lawn or tinkering in the garage. He played the piano by ear and never met a gathering he couldn’t improve with his music and personality.
He is survived by his daughters, Kristi Summers (Zach) and Stephanie Culver (Chuck); seven grandchildren, Dylan, Jesse, Kalli, Lily Gayle, Lucy Ann, Austin, and Chase; his great-grandson, Theo Knoth; his brother, Louis Jeriel (Jay) Summers Jr.; his sister-in-law, Anne (Bredeman) Summers; his nieces, Amy (Summers) Grimm and Sarah (Summers) Eiffert (Geoff); his nephew, Sam L. Willcut; cousins Sharon (Stokes) Garrison, Van Harrison Stokes Jr., and Mary Jane (Thomson) Thompson; and many friends and other relatives.
He will be laid to rest beside Gayle at Park Cemetery in Malden. John requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Geary Community Healthcare Foundation in Junction City or to a charitable organization of the donor’s choice.
SERVICES: Saturday, September 12, at 11:00 a. m. in the St. Ann’s Parish Hall.
Jacqueline Dierks, Beloved Malden Educator and Community Figure, Dies at 84
Jacqueline Dierks, 84, of Malden, Missouri, passed away on April 2, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. Jackie was born on May 30th, 1941, to Jack and Dorothy Waller. She was a proud Alumna of Malden High School, Class of 1959, and the University of Mississippi for Women. She retired from teaching at the Malden R-1 School District. She loved her students and her time in education. She enjoyed visiting with her former students and supporting Green Wave athletics and activities. She shared her early life with her first husband, the late Tom Chambers, with whom she had her only child, Traci Chambers Wilson. She later married Guy Cruce, who preceded her in death, and Charles Dierks. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Charles Dierks. She was an avid college football fan and loved the Kansas City Chiefs. She enjoyed spending time at the golf course and playing a competitive game of Bridge. Her greatest joy was being a Mawmaw to her beloved grandchildren. She cherished every ball game, shopping trip, and ice cream run with her grandkids. She is survived by her husband, Charles Dierks; her brother, Gordon Waller (Debbie); her daughter, Traci Chambers Wilson (Bob); her grandchildren: Sarah Beth Knight (Hunter) and Jackson Wilson (Janie); her step-daughter, Kehli Dierks Rouse (Charlie) and her children, Mary Charles and Lucie; her step-son, Tyler Dierks; and her great-grandchildren Grayson and Anna Kate Knight. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 4, 2026 at the Landess Funeral Home in Malden, Missouri, with the funeral service beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Malden, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Malden Historical Museum in her honor. Landess Funeral Home and Crematory of Malden is in charge of the arrangements.
