ROGERS, Ohio — Daniel “Dan” E. Simmons Sr., 88 of Rogers, Ohio, died on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Florida.
He was born Nov. 22, 1928, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Daniel J. and Anna Kirch Simmons. He received a bachelor of science degree in horticulture from Pennsylvania State University. He owned and operated Peace Valley Orchards in Rogers, retiring in 1993, although it remained his passion. Over the years, he was able to secure five different patents for a variety of different apples. He was a Cardinal Member of the Ohio Fruit Growers Society and belonged to the Fruit Growers Marketing Association.
Mr. Simmons served on the board of directors of the New Waterford Bank, was a member of the East Palestine Masonic Lodge #417 F. & A.M and the East Palestine Chapter #381 Order of Eastern Star where he served as past patron.
He was also a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church, East Palestine where he was active with both church council and Sunday School and was also a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Lakeland, Florida.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary E. Donaldson Simmons, whom he married on June 16, 1951; two daughters, Carol Day of Rogers, and Virginia Gerner of East Palestine; two sons, Paul Simmons of East Palestine, and Daniel “Dano” E. Simmons Jr. of Rogers, and by his brother, Donald Simmons of Titusville, Florida. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Virginia Miller, and Margaret Macher, and by a brother, Ralph Simmons.
The family will receive friends on Monday, Dec. 19, from 4-7 p.m. at the Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home, East Palestine. Funeral services will be held Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor Paul Camp officiating. Burial will be at the New Waterford Cemetery.
Donations may be made in his memory to Grace Lutheran Church, 87 W. Grant St., East Palestine, OH 44413.
Family and friends may send condolences at www.familycareservices.com.
