Samuel D. “Sam” Simmons, Sr., age 82, a resident of Vienna, Illinois, passed away Sunday morning, May 5, 2013, at 2:42 a.m. at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky.
Sam was born January 8, 1931 in Grantsburg, Illinois. He was the son of William D. Simmons and Violet Elsie (Slankard) Simmons.
Sam was united in marriage to Imogene Felker on July 21, 1950 in Piggott, Arkansas. She survives.
Other survivors include his children – Samuel D. Simmons, Jr. and his wife Marsha of Flowery Branch, GA, Linda Sue Vogt of Metropolis, IL and David D. Simmons of Benton, IL.
7 grandchildren – Jennifer, Craig, Angie, Joe, Jason, Amy and Stefan.
12 great grandchildren – Austin, Riley, Chase, Reese, Raylan, David, Kody, Collin, Gage, Liberty, Areanna, and Nova
A brother – Lee Simmons of Carbondale, IL
A sister – Rosemary Hight of Anna, IL
A sister-in-law – Alene Huckelberry of Vienna, IL
A brother-in-law – Johnny Felker of Karnak, IL
Nieces and nephews
Sam was preceded in death by his parents – William D. Simmons and Violet E. Simmons-Wallace and stepfather – Jim Wallace
A Son – James Franklin Simmons
A Sister – Brooksie Estes Turner
3 Brothers – Harry Simmons, Tommy Simmons, Charles Wallace
Sam was a Korean War U.S. Army veteran.
He was employed as an automation Tender at the Ford Motor Company plant in Chicago Heights, Illinois for 16 ½ years.
Sam was a member of the Mermet Pentecostal Church. He was an avid bicyclist and would log over 8000 miles per year cycling. Sam was also an arrowhead and ginseng hunter.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Sam Roberts and Pastor Kenneth Capps will officiate. Burial will be in the Belknap Masonic Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be accorded by the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post 5222 and the Illinois National Guard Burial Honors Detail.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.
Memorials may be made to the Heather Harper Treat Memorial Cancer Fund, PO Box 98, Vienna, IL 62995 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 320 East Walnut Street, Suite A, Carbondale, Illinois 62901.