In Memory of

John W. Simmons

July 23, 1930 - August 27, 2024

Obituary

John Wellington Simmons, 94, peacefully passed away on August 27, 2024. John (Jack) was born on July 23, 1930, in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada to Charles W. Simmons and Mary Violet Elliot Simmons.  He grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, along with his older sister, Catherine. His father was a professor of Chemical Engineering at Lehigh University. Jack attended the Pennsylvania Military Preparatory School and graduated in June 1949. On November 14, 1950, he received his American citizenship.

He served his country in the Korean War with the United States Army, 3rd Infantry Division, 10th Engineer Combat Battalion D Company, as a Combat Communications Engineer, from November 1950 until he was honorably discharged as a Sargeant on November 3, 1953.   He was decorated with the Korean Service medal with two bronze service stars, United Nations Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

On January 12, 1952, Jack married Alexandra (Sandy) Newman, in Ridley Park, PA. After leaving the Military Service, he worked at Sperry Rand in Norwalk, CT. They had four daughters together before divorcing.

On March 18, 1965, Jack married Mary Louise (Mary Lou) Ettinger. He worked at RCA while living in New Jersey.  They had one daughter together.  After a few moves in the New England area, the family settled in Trumbull, CT, in 1971, where Jack worked for several years at Pepperidge Farm, in Norwalk, CT, as a maintenance mechanic.   He retired from Pepperidge Farm after 30 years.

Jack was kind and generous, always giving a helping hand.  Some of his hobbies and interests over the years were freshwater fishing, model ship building, assembling computers, and he was an avid reader his entire life. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed spending time with his family.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Mary Violet Simmons and sister, Catherine Grafton; Sandy Jenkins, and Mary Lou Simmons.

He is survived by his daughters, Carol (Joe) Salvato, Ann Duncan, Kathy (Jerry) Andrejko, Linda (Brian) Wilson, and Jackie (Ruben) Berkowitz. Grandchildren: Jesse (Amanda) Salvato, Leann Salvato, Jenny (Josh) Lambert, Sarah (Matt) Zimmerman, Cathy (Aaron) Bell, Stephanie Andrejko, Nick Andrejko, Laura (Sean) Harper, Sean (Sadie) Wilson, Steven (Crystal) Wilson, Scott Powell, Molly Katz, and Veronica Berkowitz. Great Grandchildren: Logan and Liliana Salvato, Mikey and Aidan Cook, Samuel, Darius, Eve, and Cyrus Lambert, Rachel, Micah, Adah and Abby Zimmerman, Emersyn and Ryker Bell, Sirius Andrejko, Lyrik Andrejko, Riley Harper, Aubrey Bratton and Asher Wilson, Evangeline Powell, and Aajalyn Yarbrough. Cousins James C Simmons, Christopher and Eve Simmons. Nephews and Nieces: Susan (Peter) Lindh, Scott (Kim) Grafton, Rick Grafton, Meg (Collin) McDowell, and Beth (John) Grafton-Cardwell.

The visitation is on September 9, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063, with the funeral service following at 2 p.m. at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO.

Flowers are welcome, or in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to John Knox Village, where he received exceptional kindness and care during his last few years. Please send to John Knox Village Foundation, 400 N.W. Murray Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081-1498.

Arrangements by Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063

Condolences

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Christie and I are very sorry for your family’s loss. I will miss Jack and Christie will miss Grandpa Jack. We both take comfort in the fact that he is at peace.

Visitation

Monday, September 9, 2024
11:00 a.m.
Langsford Funeral Home
115 SW 3rd St
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063

Services

Monday, September 9, 2024
2:00 PM Graveside Service
Missouri Veterans Cemetery
20109 Bus, MO-13
Higginsville, MO 64037