Kenneth Rowe Sumner

Kenneth Rowe Sumner, of Sterling Heights, Michigan, passed away on December 6, 2025, at the age of 82. Ken was born on May 29, 1943, in Allenton, Michigan, to Vincent and Frances (nee Mosher) Sumner. Ken is the cherished husband of 56 years to Bonnie; the loving father of James (Tara) Sumner and Kendra (Randy) Gosk; the adored grandfather of Luke, Kaleb, Carly, and Kennedy; and the dear brother of Kathie (Bill) Campbell and Nancy Griffiths (predeceased).

Ken grew up on a farm in Armada, Michigan, where his love for cars and numbers began. He loved classic muscle cars, but his true love was always the Chevy Corvette. He owned several and loved to drag race his favorite cars and clean them meticulously to display them at car shows from which he won numerous awards. Because of this passion for his Corvettes, he became an active member of the Corvette Club for over 25 years. His love of numbers brought him to Michigan State University where as a student he majored in Mathematics and earned a Masters plus degree at Wayne State University. He taught various Math classes at Centerline Public Schools for over 35 years. He was also an adjunct professor at Macomb Community College and Oakland Community College for over 20 years.

Ken was a super fan of his alma mater, MSU. You could always catch him watching them on TV. Go Green, Go White! His super fan role was magnified when his children and grandchildren were born, starting in 1970. There wasn't a game or activity that he would miss and he would arrive early enough to talk to the coaches and spectators alike, sometimes even driving a "trial run" to check out the venue before the actual game. He was the biggest fan of their athletic pursuits and academic ones, as well. Ken was not only a fan, but liked to dabble in sports, especially with family. He enjoyed fishing and golfing and you could even catch him playing cornhole at a family birthday party with an Oreo in hand.

Most importantly, Ken was a faithful church attender. He was saved by Jesus Christ as a young man and baptized. He lived his life well for Christ. Even in his last days, it was important to him that the medical staff know that God was in control and that he was going "home."

Ken's family will receive friends for visitation on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road (3 blocks East of Van Dyke), Utica. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, December 17, from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Ken's service at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Entombment at Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Township. Memorials are appreciated to Bethany Baptist Church, 19700 15 Mile Road, Clinton Township, MI 48035, or at https://connect2bethany.churchcenter.com/giving, or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 7th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851, or at https://themmrf.org/. Please share a story of Ken or leave a tribute at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com