Harold Simmons, 83. of Dix died at 2:18 p.m. Dec. 10, 2002 at Countryside Manor in Mt. Vernon.

He was a farmer and had also been employed as a conervation officer with the Illinois Dept. of Conservation and is a retiree of Local 520 Operating Engineers.

Mr. Simmons was born July 7, 1919, in Grand Prairie Township to Emmitt and Ida (Cameron) Simmons.

He married Nora (Carpenter) Simmons April 12, 1935; she died Oct. 6, 1997.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix. Randy Sells will officiate. Burial will be in Boyd Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Osborn Funeral Home in Dix.

Mr. Simmons is survived by one son, Larry Simmons of Mt. Vernon; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a sister Berdella Skelcher and husband Cliff of Marion.

He was a U.S. veteran of World War II. He was also a member of Boyd Christian Church. He was a member of the Local 520 Operating Engineers and of the Masonic Lodge No. 31 AF and AM of Mt. Vernon and was a past master of Masonic Lodge No. 721 AF and AM of Dix.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Leslie Wayne Simmons and a daughter-in-law, Nelda Simmons.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association and will be received at the funeral home at any time. Osborn Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: December 11, 2002
Submitted by: Ida Reeves