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KENNETH WILSON SIMONS
Kenneth Wilson Simons, 88, died Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, at Fort Scott Medicalodges. He was born Dec. 23, 1922, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Arvy R. Simons and Lenora Mae Wilson Simons.
Kenneth married Veda Fern Wheeler on Oct. 5, 1942, at Fort Scott. She preceded him in death on Oct. 21, 2000.
Kenneth served in the Civilian Conservation Corps at Burlington, Kan., from 1940 to 1942. He was a veteran of WWII, having served in the Army Air Force. He fought in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and in Central Europe. In 1999, Kenneth received a commendation for participation in the invasion of Normandy from the French government.
Kenneth was a retired mechanic with Ray Shepherd Motors. He was a Past Master of the Rising Sun Lodge A.F.&A.M; High Priest Commander and Watchman/Shepherd of White Shrine and Grand Cross of Color of Rainbow.
He was also a member and Past Worthy Patron of Olive Chapter No. 13 Order of Eastern Star and past member of Fort Scott Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Olson Frary Burkhart Post No. 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include two daughters, Sharon Kay Miller and husband G.K., Fort Scott, and Charlotte Ann Owen and husband Ronald, Basehor, Kan.
Also surviving are two sisters, Lavon McCollum, Fort Worth, Texas, and Kathryn Scott, Andover, Kan.; five grandchildren; Kenna Elliott and husband Charles, Fort Scott, Denise Miller and husband Bryan Baker, Tallahassee, Fla., John Miller and wife Lori Reesor, Grand Forks, N.D., Kenneth L. Owen, McAlister, Okla., and Brian Owen, Peculiar, Mo; 12 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Belva Payne and Mercedes Allen, and a grandson, Robert Owen.
The Rev. Kenneth (Jerry) Payne, assisted by Chaplain James Stradley, will conduct graveside services at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the U.S. National Cemetery.
Military honors will be conducted by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post No. 1165 V.F.W.
The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. Wednesday until leaving for the cemetery at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to Medicalodges Activity Fund and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kan., 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.