John W. Simmons

72, of 2082 Knox Road 150E, Galesburg, died at 7:30 pm Sunday, June 19, 2005 at the intersection of US 150 and Knox Highway 2, near Rio in Knox County. He was born on January 10, 1933 in Danville, Ohio to Hershchell and Mary Lucille Lisk Simmons. He married Marilyn J. Haas on December 8, 1951 in Abingdon. He later married Judith M. Peterson Sotelo on October 7, 1971 in Warren County. She preceded him in death on October 3, 1999. Surviving are four sons, Jack E. (wife Betsy) Simmons of Craig, Montana, Bill (wife Melissa) Simmons of Galesburg, IL, Kurt Sotelo of Galesburg, IL, and Ted Sotelo of Port Orchard, WA, three daughters, Christy (husband Earl) Ekstrom of Shepherdsville, KY, Kim Sharp of Galesburg, IL, and Mary Vanover of Port Orchard, WA, one brother, Don (wife Judy) Simmons of Alpha, IL, one sister, Margaret (husband Lee) Schwenn of La Claire, IA, eleven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and a special friend, Betty Simkins of Galesburg, IL. He was preceded by his parents, one son, Troy Sotelo, and three brothers. He worked as a General Foreman for Maytag Corporation for 45 years, retiring in 1996. He farmed in the Abingdon area for several years. He had a Christmas tree farm in Henderson Grove. He lived in Abingdon most his life. He was a member of the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Galesburg, where he served as an elder and was a co-founder of the Country Gospel Group. Services will be at 10:00 am Thursday at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Galesburg. Rev. Daniel Smith will officiate. Burial will be in the Abingdon Cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 pm Wednesday at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Abingdon Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Galesburg IL.

SERVICES A service summary is not available

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