I grew up across the street from the tavern and spent much of my allowance there for pop and treats.  loved shorty and especially george and tippy.  my deepest sympathy.

Papa,

35 years ago you came into this family as an â€œoutsiderâ€ and slowly gained ground on becoming Papa the only Grandfather our children ever really knew in the Buck Family. You handled that role as if it were always meant to be for you. In reality, I guess it was always meant to be. Rest easy knowing that you have accomplished your most important goals in this lifetime.

So often we search for the most important memories to help everyone else understand who You were in life. The ability to demonstrate your Value and Heroic like qualities.

You served our Country in Korea and told of your experiences cooking for hundreds. How you treated the Soldiers to your Mom's home recipes sprinkled on top of the already fabulous (?) meals you served.

You served Cicero in an equally important role as the Proprietor of Sumka's Tavern. A family business that catered to a local crowd and a Host to some of Cicero's finest Men in Blue.

After the sale of the Tavern you embarked upon a career of Hotel Maintenance that you seemed to take on with a pride of ownership and enthusiasm. The regular hours enabled you to be home together with Mom and spend your weekends at the trailer in Braidwood where the grandchildren visited regularly and had some of their â€œmost memorable experiencesâ€

For me I have a different set of memories, Electrical wiring with BX in the Attic; A basement full of junk added to the junk that was already there; Buying a baby blue AMC Pacer (yes such a car existed) Party on Papa; Electrical Tape and Duct Tape do have an important place in our lives; sleeping in the recliner actually does count as hours of rest and it allows you to be up at 3:00am to start the day; and New Year's Eve is the time for Champagne and cranking up the Siren. However, the one set of memories I cannot forget is that Papa (Shorty) was there for Mom for all of those years.  They will remain as Mom and Papa forever in my mind.

In the last 10 years Papa struggled with his physical limitations and so did we as his family. He wasn't able to attend many family functions; in some cases we brought the functions to him. I can't begin to count the times I asked Papa how are you feeling? His answer always came back the same â€œI am feeling pretty good.â€ His appetite for good food never waned and his request for another glass of wine never stopped. This is not the time to regret that we should have spent more time with Papa but the time to remember all of the good times we had. Those times are what bring us together to celebrate his life.

Papa, You will be missed. Not only will you be in our hearts, but you are a part of our memories and the things that shaped our lives. We know you will find peace with Mom and continue your journey with the happiness that we all wish you could have experienced in the last 10 years.

Love,
Boyd and Cathy

Papa, 
I, like the rest of your grandchildren, have so many memories of you...
...You chasing us around the house on Austin Blvd. after getting home from work acting like a monster, and everytime we would hide in the corner behind the couch!
...Waking up at the trailer to the gargling sounds and smell of Listerine!
...You making Bloody Mary's for a nutritious breakfast and ALWAYS swishing the first sip around in your mouth to ensure the taste was just right!
...And the most delicious breakfasts cooked out at the campgrounds on the grill 
There are so many more memories, my list would go on and on!  I will forever be thankful to have had you as my "Papa"!  Love you lots!  Say hi to Gramma!

Love, Ronnie

Papa, You have been a part of our lives for so long.  You came into our lives at a time that Mom needed someone.  She always told me that our Dad treated her good but that you treated her three times better.  For that, I will always be grateful.  You two had a great life together.  We have a ton of wonderful memories.  You were there when all of the grandchildren were born.  They have so many terrific memories of you--the Sandwich Fair, being chased around the house and hiding behind the couch, you playing "Monster", and, of course, the trailer.  Veronica was just remembering how she would wake to the smell of the listerine and then you making your "Bloody Mary" and swishing it in your mouth.  They will never, ever forget those wonderful times--or YOU!  Say hello to Mom for us.  We will miss you.

Dear Shirley and Family,

Please accept our deepest sympathy in the passing of "Shorty".
We have many good memories and still often talk about the good times we had  at the tavern with "Shorty", along with "Chuck", George and Elanor.
He will surely be missed.

Our Deepest Sympathy on the passing of "Shorty" Sumka to his loved ones.
We had some great times after our shifts with Shorty.  Rest in Peace friend.
Mr. & Mrs. John Marone
           Retired Cicero Police Officer.

Papa,

I have so many memories of you and Grandma.  Some of my favorites include spending time with the two of you at the trailer and the surprise packages you used to give us when you had the tavern.  I remember that you and Grandma used to let Jaclynn and me bang pots and pans outside at midnight for New Year's.  Our parents would never let us make that kind of noise at home!  I miss you and love you very much.

Papa,
I will always cherish all the wonderful memories. I feel blessed to have been a part a of your life. You were one in a million. Now you are finally home with Ma. I will miss you. All my love always to you both.  Gigi

He loved his Cubs and White Castles!  I will always remember his handlebar mustache.  

My condolences to Mr. Sumka's family…Rest In Peace Dalwin.

-Margaret
Meadowbrook Manor Bolingbrook

For those of you who knew "Shorty", you might not be aware of how he received that nickname.  After all he wasn't really short.  The last time I visited him I just had to ask.  Well as he related, when he was a child the milk truck would make its morning rounds.  He and his friends would ask for two things, a ride and ice.  The milkman seemed to like him and would always pick him to hop on.  Since he was the smallest fellow in the group, the milkman would always say: "get onboard Shorty".  And now you know.  

During his time among us he not only helped a great many but he brought great joy to others wherever he went.  He was quite an amazing guy and he will be deeply missed.

Uncle Shorty  You were always a great guy who had exceptional patience and understanding when it came to allowing a young grade schooler to "help" you with your many projects. You were more like an older brother who I looked up to for guidance.  I will always cherish the times that we spent together.  It won't be long until I see you again on the other side.

OBITUARY

Dalwin R."Shorty" Sumka

February 6, 1929 – August 20, 2012

Mount Auburn Funeral Home & Cemetery

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