Jill S. Summerton

Jill Summerton, age 66 of Mansfield, Ohio, passed away after a courageous two year battle with leukemia, surrounded by her children.

Jill was born April 22, 1959, in Mansfield, Ohio to Dale and Pansy Summerton. Jill graduated from Madison comprehensive high school, class of 1997 and later advanced her passion for crafts by opening Jilly Junction in Ontario where she was known for having the best smelling store, with hand crafted decor, and her contagious smile.

Jill had many accomplishments in her life but her greatest accomplishment was being a mother to her two children. She was proud of the success she had opening her store front that her dad helped her open. As spoken above she had a 2 yr battle against Leukemia and not only accomplished remission in the first year but later got the ring the celebration bell for not needing blood or platelets (which was very uncommon considering she spent everyday at the hospital fighting leukemia a second time) and was featured in Mansfield News Journal.

To say heaven gained an angel would sound accurate for anyone who knew her but scripture teaches us we will be called greater than the angels in heaven one day when the trumpet sounds and we rise.

Jill was someone you just wanted to get to know after hearing her contagious laugh and seeing her beautiful smile and stunning eyes that could light the darkest room. She had a niche for decorating and shared her love for decor by opening Jilly Junction in Ontario years back. She was the mom and grandma that always made birthdays and holidays special by wrapping each thing with pretty paper and bows. Jill was known for her optimistic attitude and was the most giving person with the warmest heart.

Despite what she went through every day she kept “making plans”, living life as she would say. She was beautiful, inside and out. Everyday she still got up, did her hair and make up, and put her jewelry on even if she was only going to the hospital and back home. She collected all of her hospital bracelets and made a chain rope in hopes to one day break the chain the second time and beat leukemia again. Jill was always the kind heart and bubbly person but during  this journey she was much more than a kind heart. She was one heck of a fighter and behind her beautiful smile was character, perseverance, and strength. Jill was thrown so many obstacles but kept beating every one of them, defying the odds time and time again. Her determination to be here for her family and her positive attitude to continue “making plans” kept her here with us as long as she was and we are thankful for that time.

Jill was the most genuine person and was loved by anyone who knew her.  Everywhere she went there was a glow around her, that will be missed but never forgotten. Jill implemented such strength and courage during her battle and is the perfect example of not judging a book by their cover because behind her beautiful smile was a warrior not willing to give up. 

Jill was preceded in death by her father, Dale (Bud) Summerton and her mother Pansy Summerton (Vining) and grandparents Dale Sr. and Edna Summerton. She leaves behind her brother Jeff Summerton and his girlfriend Christine Woerner, two children Adam Hoelscher and Shelby Meier, her daughter in law Alexa Hoelscher, her 8 grandchildren, her dog Tucker that she loved, and many close friends that were like family!

D.L.Y.G.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Werner-Gompf Funeral Services, 1106 Park Avenue East, Mansfield. Services will take place at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Ashland Cemetery.

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