Sercan Sumer

Born January 26, 1944 in Balikesir, Turkey to Ramazan and Müberra Oral, she married Dr. Dürrü Sümer on November 12, 1965 in Balikesir, Turkey. He died on March 14, 2015 in Peoria. She also was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Gürkan Oral.

Surviving are two sons, D. Dean Sümer of Oxnard, California and Dr. Volkan (Merry) Sümer of Tremont; three grandchildren, Sydney Demirel, Leland Zeki and Sophia Ariel and one sister, Saadet Oral of Istanbul, Turkey.

Sercan became a math teacher in Turkey and met her husband on a train in Istanbul in the early 1960’s. He came to America and they corresponded for a couple years. He then went back to Turkey to marry her and bring her back to America. Here she became a Medical Lab Technician with a degree from Illinois Central College. Unable to find a job, she decided to try tailoring and opened Sümer Tailoring in Peoria. Through all this, she raised two boys.

Sercan was known for her exceptional Turkish cooking and world’s best Turkish baklava. She had strict expectations of her children which helped shape them into who they are today. She was blessed to be able to spend much time with her grandchildren, Sydney, Leland, and Sophia, teaching them all about Turkey while providing them some unforgettable meals. She is loved and will be missed by all of her family here and in Turkey.

Her funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2022 at the Islamic Center of Peoria, 4125 West Charter Oak Road in Peoria, where a visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Monday. Burial will follow the service in Springdale Cemetery in Peoria. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

A celebration of life gathering will then be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2022 at The Cabin 21869 Illinois Route 9, in Tremont for family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 614 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com