Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Simmons, Donald L. 2002
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net June 17, 2011, 12:32 pm

Ionia Sentinel Standard, 2002

Belding - Donald Lynn Simmons, 79, died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002, at the Grand 
Rapids Home for Veterans.

Don was born Sept. 28, 1922, in Benzie County, the only child of Lynn F. and 
Thelma Nostrandt Simmons.  Don graduated from Belding High School in 1939 and 
enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943, serving as a light infantryman in 
various locations, most notably in Okinawa and in South Korea during and after 
World War II.  In 1947 he married Joyce B. Richmond of Smyrna.  He graduated 
from Michigan State College in 1953 with a degree in journalism.  His career as 
a technical writer included work for Lear-Sigler, Rapid Design, National 
Waterlift and Rapistan.

Don was a versatile man of many gifts and unique talents.  He could play any 
instrument he picked up, his favorites being the string bass, mandolin and 
harmonica.  He especially loved big band music and possessed a beautiful 
baritone voice and a limitless repertoire of ballads.  Even greater than his 
love of music was his passion for sailing.  He was the happiest man alive when 
he could sail his “Blue By You” on Lake Michigan.  As an accomplished amateur 
astronomer, he lectured various groups on the subject and gave his children a 
lasting fascination with the night sky.  His mechanical aptitude knew few 
boundaries and it seemed there was no machine or appliance that he couldn’t 
repair.  Don was a talented photo journalist whose work appeared in newspapers 
as well as technical manuals.  His intelligence, wit and humor were trademark, 
as were his good nature, patience, generosity and humility.  Don exemplified 
his faith in Jesus to family and friends in much the same way he lived - 
quietly, gently, honestly, steadfastly.  Everyone who met Don liked him.  
Always a gentleman, he never said an unkind word about another.  He left us a 
wonderful legacy and shoes impossible to fill.

He is survived by his fiancée, Maxine Wilson; four children, Dorotha and Jerry 
Piechocki, Dan and Diane Simmons, all of Wyoming, Tim and Elisa Simmons of 
Ionia, Kris and Sherry Simmons of Hudsonville; nine grandchildren and two step-
grandchildren, David and Penny Simmons, Josh Simmons, Nate, Kevin and Aaron 
Piechocki, Kristin and Mike Horricks, Karalyn, Tavia and Tucker Simmons, 
Geoffrey and Krissie Cantwell.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Joyce, and a stillborn son, 
Jimmy.

Funeral services are 1 p.m. Monday at Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding, 
with Pastor Richard Robinson officiating.  Interment will be in Smyrna 
Cemetery.  Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral 
home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans 
or Heartland Hospice.


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