Joseph J. Sommer, 90, former owner of Magnetic Coil Manufacturing Co. in Chicago, died Monday, March 11, in his Des Plaines home. Mr. Sommer was born in Chicago and graduated from Schurz High School. He began working for an electrical products manufacturer in Chicago before he founded Magnetic Coil Manufacturing Co., a maker of coils and transformers, in 1945. Mr. Sommer was president until the 1970s, when he retired and turned the company over to his son. Mr. Sommer lived in Des Plaines since 1942. He was a former Cub Scouts leader and received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America Northwest Suburban Council. “He was always ready to help someone,” said his wife of 65 years, Solveig “Eve.” “He was always worried about everyone else.” Other survivors include a son, Joseph; a daughter, Ruth Ann Monico; five grandchildren; and a great-grandson. A service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday in Nelson Funeral Home, 820 Talcott Rd., Park Ridge.
