Donald I. Simmons, 80, of Mt. Erie, died Tuesday, October 25, 2011, at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney. Services at Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne. Burial in Travers Cemetery with full military rites performed.

Donald was born May 28, 1931, in Coffeen, to Jess Amos and Frieda Marie (Digman) Simmons. He married Carolyn Jenkins and they had a son, David Allen Simmons. They were later divorced. He married Rosa Joan Atwood on September 11, 1955, in Lawrenceville.

He worked at Champion Laboratories in Albion for many years as a paint-booth operator until he was forced to retire due to bad health. He joined the Army, serving his country in Korea and Japan. He attended Enterprise United Methodist Church and was a charter member of Mt. Erie Ruritan Club. He was a former mayor of Mt. Erie and helped bring street lighting and the water system to the area. He was known as a great fisherman and gardener. He brought loads of watermelons to the people of Mt. Erie every summer.

Donald is lovingly survived by his wife, Joan, of Mt. Erie; one daughter, Vicky Hicks, of Fairfield; four sons, David Allen Simmons and his wife, Rita, of St. Charles, Mo., Rick Simmons and his wife, Cindy, of Salem, Jesse Simmons and his wife, Cathy, of Geff, and Sam Simmons, of Olney. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, four stepgrandchildren, seven stepgreat-grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and other loved ones.

He was preceded in death by a son, David Michael, three sisters, Dorothy, Lorene and Lovetta, and his parents, Jess and Frieda Simmons.

Olney Daily Mail (IL) — Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Donald attended OTHS his fresh & soph years 46 & 47 only