Rosa Joan (Atwood) Simmons, 81, of Mt. Erie, Illinois, passed away Monday, February 24, 2020, at her home surrounded by her family. Joan was born September 22, 1938 at Mt. Erie, Illinois, to William Q. and Rachel E. (Gardner) Atwood. She married Donald Irvin Simmons September 11, 1955 at Lawrenceville, Illinois. He preceded her in death October 25, 2011.

Joan came to be the owner operator of Mt. Erie Store for three years. She then worked at Champion Lab until she retired after twenty years. Joan was a loyal wife, patient mother, understanding grandmother and loving woman. She will be missed by many. She was always ready to listen to anyone’s problems with a comforting word.

Joan is survived by a daughter Vicky Hicks of Cisne, Illinois; four sons Ricky (Cindy) Simmons of Salem, Illinois, Jesse (Cathy) Simmons of Geff, Illinois, Sam (Sherri) Simmons of Flora, Illinois, and David Allen (Rita) Simmons of St. Charles, Missouri. Fifteen grandchildren, twenty-five great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Donald, seven brothers, Gerald, Layton, Loyde, Robert, Donald, Joseph and Lowell, three sisters Martha, Violet, and Mary, and one son David Michael Simmons.

Funeral services will be 2:00pm Sunday, March 1, 2020 at Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home. Visitation will from 12:00 until service time on Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Travers Cemetery.

Memorials in memory of Joan may be given to American Cancer Society and will be accepted at Hosselton-Meridith Funeral home

Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne – February 25, 2020