John D. Simmons Sr *
The heavenly angels called for Mr. John “Jack” Daniel Simmons, Sr., 93, of Erie, Pa., on May 25, 2021 following painful complications of a stroke. He was born on May 21, 1928 in Decatur, IL., the son of the late James Porter Simmons and Stella Mae Higgins Simmons.
He was preceded in death by all ten of his siblings, his wife Lillie, an infant son Timothy, a grandson John III, and a son-in-law Dwight Hughes.
He is survived by four daughters, Marie Detter (Al) of Erie, Pa.; Danielle Smith (Peter) of Houston, Texas; Renee Hughes of Lowell, Ind.; Lisa Shockey (Jerry) of Austin, Texas; and a son, John Jr. “Dan” Simmons (Worapanit) of DeMotte, Ind. He is further survived by 14 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
Jack was a Marine who did post WWII duty in Japan, China, and Guam and in the active reserves during the Korean War as a Corporal in the Amphibian Tractor Battalion. He served in the Peoria Police Department as an officer and detective, retiring in 1983 as a Sergeant after 23 years of service. He resided in the Erie area the past thirty years.
He had many interests including construction, reading history and theology, photography, gardening, traveling (including four trips to Israel), music, riding in the country, hunting, fishing, watching Westerns, and bargain hunting.
Jack deeply loved each member of his family, his church, and especially his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Friends may greet Jack’s family at Walnut Creek Baptist Church, 6015 West Ridge Road, Erie, on Saturday, May 29, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service officiated by Rev. Al Detter and Rev. Fred Ayers. Interment will be private. Arrangements were handled by the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Walnut Creek Baptist Church.
Published by Erie Times-News from May 28 to May 29, 2021.