Lois Bachtel Sommer Spafford, Class of 1948

Lois Bachtel Sommer Spafford ’48 died Monday, June 19, 2023. Lois was born in Kenmore, Ohio, Oct. 17, 1927 to the late Glenna and Harold Bachtel.
Lois was a graduate of Coventry High School, a 1948 graduate of Otterbein College and held a Master of Education degree from the University of Akron. At Otterbein she was a member of the Tau Epsilon Mu (Talisman) sorority.
Countless teachers, elementary students and late-learners benefitted from her love of teaching people to read. She taught remedial reading in the Coventry School System and attended Lockwood United Methodist Church and Mount Zwingli United Church of Christ. She enjoyed singing in the choir at both churches.

Lois never gave up on the people or the things she believed in. She was a devoted friend and volunteer. She loved Sudoku, historical biographies and catching up with life-long friends over coffee and maple cream sticks at breakfasts at Buehler’s. She was known for her strong will, tireless work ethic, big laugh and love of learning.

She is survived by her children; Roger (Kymberli) Sommer, Jill Sommer Tiburzio ’84: grandchildren; Kirsten Tiburzio, Kyle (Dillon) Leaderman, Ryan (Malia) Tiburzio, great-granddaughter Zahara Tiburzio, many nieces and nephews and sister-in-law Mimi Bachtel.

She was preceded in death by brothers Dwight and Bruce Bachtel and sister Janet Timmons, husband of 40 years Frederic C. Sommer, daughter Irene Sommers Jones ’74 and the Rev. Art Spafford ’48, who she married after reviving a friendship at their 65th college reunion.