James Michael “Mike” Simons, 72, of Circleville, passed away Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at Berger Hospital and is now in Heaven with his granddaughter, Baby Ryan.
Mike was born Oct. 24, 1943, in Volga, West Virginia, the son of the late Goff and Lucy (Kerr) Simons.
He was also preceded in death by his brother, Waitman, who was killed in action in Belgium in 1945; brothers, Goff Jr., Robert and William; sisters, Myrtle, Nellie and JoAnn; Pappaw Frank Kerr, Mamaw Pearl Kerr, Pappaw James Simons and Mamaw Mary Simons; niece, Nancy Jo Greene; and sister-in-law, Poopsie.
Mike graduated from Philippi High School in 1961 and served our country in the US Army from August 1963 until August 1965. He was stationed in Vietnam from February 1964 until February 1965.
Mike was employed at DuPont for 30 years, retiring in 1993 at age 50. He was a life member of American Legion Post 134, AMVETS Post 2256 and VFW Post 3331.
He enjoyed golfing, rooting for his team the West Virginia Mountaineers, but most of all spending time with his family. Having the kids over for holiday dinners and going to all their ball games was everything to Mike.
He leaves behind his loving wife, friend and soulmate, Alma; sons, Bryan (Teresa) Meadows, Steve (Traci) Meadows; daughter, Wendy (Josh) Gatewood; nine rugrats whom he loved dearly – grandsons, Daryn, Zach, Lance, Drew and Callan and granddaughters, Kelsey, Kayla, Allie and Cabella; special nephew and nieces, Gary (Debbie) Greene and Becky Donaldson; close friend, Tula Curkendall; sisters-in-law, Bertha Ward and Debbie Oros; several nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2016, at Defenbaugh-Wise-Schoedinger Funeral Home with Pastor Barry Bennett officiating. Burial will be in Hitler-Ludwig Cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Soldiers Monumental Association, 165 E. Main St., Circleville, OH 43113.
To share a memory of Mike, visit www.schoedinger.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
