ELKHART: Andre "Andy" Brooks Cummins, 98, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, October 31, 2021 at his residence at Hubbard Hill. Andre was born November 20, 1922, in Daleville, IN, to the late Andre Blondell Cummins and Audria La Rae (Long) Cummins. Geraldine Ann (Lerner) Cummins, his wife of over 60 years, predeceased him in 2013.

He is survived by his sister, Ann Mae Barnhart of Daleville; children Deborah Ann (Mel) Jacobson of Bristol, Craig Andre (Diane) Cummins of Mishawaka, Robert Brooks (Kathy) Cummins of Bloomington, Ind., James Lloyd (Karen) Cummins of West Lafayette, and Constance Sue (Jeff) Cummins of Duluth, Minn.; 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

At age 11, he spent a year in Peru, accompanying his aunt and uncle who were missionaries there. The experience instilled in him a love of both travel and experiencing different cultures. After graduating from Daleville High School in 1941, he immediately went to work at Allison engine plant in Indianapolis, shortly thereafter he was drafted into the Army Air Corps and served in England, France, and Germany. He was on his way to Manila when the Japanese surrendered. After the war he attended Ball State University, earning both his BA and MA in Education. Further education was obtained on summer scholarships for special programs at Northern Illinois University and Indiana University. At Ball State, he met Gerry, and they were married on June 7, 1947.

He spent a couple of years working as a program director of the Boys Club in Muncie, then took a position in the Elkhart School system teaching elementary school. During his 12 years as a teacher, he participated in a year-long Fulbright Scholarship exchange program teaching in Wembley, England. The remainder of his career was spent as a principal in several elementary schools in Elkhart.

Andy served for 18 years as a CASA (court-appointed special advocate) and was named a CASA of the year. He was a member of Kiwanis and the Conservation Club as well as a long-time member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church.

His travels with Gerry took him across the US and to Denmark, Norway, Germany, Scotland, Iceland, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Columbia, Costa Rica, and Sweden. In England he was honored by the queen mother at a ceremony.

Services celebrating the life of Andre Brooks Cummins, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 4, 2021 at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Elkhart. Friends may call for 1 hour prior to the service. Pastor Jeremy Sarber will officiate. The service will begin with military honors by the U.S. Army funeral honor guard and DAV Chapter #19. Per his wishes, cremation was chosen. Andy will be laid to rest next to Gerry at a later date at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request memorials to the Elkhart Conversation Club or the charity of one's choice. Condolences may be made online at www.billingsfuneralhome.com

Elkhart Conservation Club
55515 Riviera Drive, Elkhart IN 46514
Tel: 1-574-295-5836
Web: https://elkhartconservationclub.org