Donald Blane Simons, 97, of Coldwater, passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at his home.
A memorial service will take place at 1:00 PM, Friday, August 23, 2019 at Evergreen Cemetery in Girard
Township. Following the memorial service, the family invites you to the Coldwater American Legion Post
#52 from 2:00 until 4:00 PM to continue honoring Don’s life. The family is being cared for by Dutcher
Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Don was born on March 15, 1922 to Elmer and Edna (Eisenhower) Simons in Clear Lake, Indiana. His first
marriage was to Teresa A. Ratkowski, she preceded him in death on December 27, 1960. He then
married Leona M. Champion on August 26, 1961in Jackson, Michigan and she passed away on April 19,
2016.
Don was inducted into the United States Army on November 20, 1942 and was honorably discharged on
December 7, 1945 having attained the rank of Sergeant. He received the Victory Medal, the American
Theater Ribbon, the African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Stars, 2 Overseas Service Bars,
1 Service Stripe, the Good Conduct Medal and the Distinguished Unit Badge. He was a car salesman for
many years with Max Larsen in Coldwater and then at Althavers Chevrolet in Union City. Don had owned
several businesses in the Coldwater area, such as a gas station and milk pick up service.
He was a member of American Legion Post #52 Coldwater and their 40 et 8 Veterans Club, the
Coldwater Knights of Columbus. Don enjoyed gardening, mowing, bird watching, being outdoors and
woodworking-making lighthouses, benches and other items. Don will be remembered as a jack of all
trades and master of none.
Don is survived by his children; Donna Mae (Gary) Abbeg of Litchfield, Margie Howard of Elkhart,
Indiana, Donnie (Jannene) Simons of Quincy, Brenda (Ray) Hoard of Burr Oak, Vanessa (Steve) Feasel of
Decatur, Indiana and Chris (Carroll) Simons of Coldwater, his 19 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren
and many great great grandchildren and his siblings; Robert Simons of Coldwater and Dorothy
Stephenson of Coldwater.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Harry E. Simons-Demski,
brothers, Kenny, Melvin and Conway Simons and his sister Cleila Toby.
