Joseph J. Simons, 2876 Saranac Dr. S. Pymatuning Township, passed away at 8:48 p.m. Wednesday, December 3, 2008, in UPMC Horizon Hospital, Farrell. He was 68.
Mr. Simons was born May 5, 1940 in Greenville, PA a son of the late Howard R. and Catherine M. (Smith) Simons.
He was a 1958 graduate of Greenville High School; attended Benjamin Franklin University, Washington D.C.; and was a graduate of the former Shenango Valley School of Business, Sharon, PA.
Mr. Simons retired in 2005 from the Sharon School District where he was employed as a custodian for twelve years and previously worked as a coil winder at the former Sharon Transformer Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation for nineteen years. Joe also had previously worked part time as a tax preparer for H and R Block; and later as an independent tax preparer for many years.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Sharon; and the Sharpsville American Legion, Post 162. Joe enjoyed fishing, billiards and playing volleyball in the businessman's league at the First Presbyterian Church, Sharon.
A veteran, he served as a Lance Corporal with the United States Marine Corp. from 1958-1962 and was a member of the Presidential Honor Guard for Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy and the Marine Corp. Silent Drill Team.
Surviving are: his wife at home, the former Martha L. Swartz, whom he married June 15, 1962; three daughters, Leah R. Brooks, S. Pymatuning Township; Amy J. Simons, Sharpsville; and Jenine C. Simons, Vienna, Ohio; a sister, Sally M. Brown and her husband Robert, Greenville; a sister-in-law, Helen Simons, Williamsville, NY; two brothers-in-law, Kenneth E. Fike, Cheektawaga, NY; and Timothy E. Swartz and his wife Jyh Mei Lui, Seattle, WA; four grandchildren, Maya A. Brooks; Rayna L. Brooks; Kent D. Traylor; and Kyle S. Traylor; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Joe was preceded in death by two brothers, Roy R. Simons and Gene G. Simons; and a sister, Nancy Fike.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Calling hours will be from 3-7 Saturday, December 6, 2008, in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, December 7, 2008, in the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Jeffery Sterling, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Sharon; and Rev. Carol Missik, pastor of Living Word Church, Hermitage, officiating.
Interment: West Side Cemetery, S. Pymatuning Township.