HOWARD — Ernest N. Simmons, 76, of Apple Valley, died Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at The Ohio State University Medical Center.
He was born Jan. 5, 1934, in Parsons, W.Va., to Ernest H. and Neva (Stokes) Simmons. He retired as a phone technician with Lucent Technologies in Akron after 35 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, and a member of the St. Luke Catholic Church in Danville. He was also a former volunteer firefighter for the Green Township Fire Department, and a member of the Greensburg Lions Club. He enjoyed fishing and gardening, and was an avid golfer. He was an honest man who fought courageously for the past three years with cancer, and never complained once.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy A. Simmons of Apple Valley, Howard; his daughters, Lori Toothman of Morgantown, W.Va., and Lisa (Robin) Blankhorst of Coconut Creek, Fla.; grandchildren, Loren and Jacob Toothman, and Briana and Kyla Blankhorst; a sister, Elaine Keech of Sacramento, Calif.; and a brother, Conrad Simmons of Santa Clara, Calif.
He was predeceased by his parents; a son, Larry T. Simmons; a son-in-law, Kenneth R. Toothman; and a brother, Richard Simmons.
A memorial Mass and interment will be held Saturday, May 22, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. F. Richard Snoke officiating at St. Luke Catholic Church in Danville.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123; or at www.cancer.org.
The Fischer Funeral Home in Danville is handling arrangements. Visit www.fischerfuneralhome.com.
