Ralph W. Simmons, age 86, of Mason, Illinois passed away at 2:07 p.m. Saturday, October 31, 2015 at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois.
Per Ralph’s wishes, graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Keen’s Chapel Cemetery, rural LaClede, Illinois. Judy Poe will be officiating. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Full Gospel Church in Edgewood, Illinois. Online condolences may be expressed at
Ralph was born on December 13, 1928 in Larkinsburg Township, the son of Charles and Cecilia Simmons. He married Mary Etta Bass on November 29, 1952. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being a jokester.
He is survived by his 2 sons, Hal Simmons (wife Diane) of Mason, Illinois and Joey Simmons (wife Penny) of Mode, Illinois; two daughters, Sandy Alwardt of Mason, Illinois and Tracie Pontious of Mason, Illinois; three brothers, Charlie Simmons (wife Lucille) of Texas, Noel Simmons (wife Georgia) of Mason, Illinois, and Glen Simmons (wife Freda) of LaClede, Illinois; sister, Betty Ingram of Edgewood, Illinois and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Cecilia Simmons; wife, Mary Etta Simmons; 2 sons, Rex and Ralph Jr. Simmons; daughter, MaDonna Depoister; 6 brothers, Harold, Henry, Lawrence, Bob, Leon, and Leroy Simmons and 3 sisters, Vera Parkhurst, Marjorie Lacey and Lorene Cook.