Wayne Simmons

Wayne T. Simmons, 89, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Thursday, October 25, 2007, at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon on Sunday, October 28, 2007, at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends beginning at 5:00 p.m. that evening. There will be a prayer service and time of sharing at 5:30 p.m. after which the family will receive friends until 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 29, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Nicholas J. Adam officiating. Burial with military rites will be held at the Forest Home Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Born December 8, 1917, in north of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Wayne Thomas was the son of Barton Jr. and Bertha Miriam Campbell Simmons. He attended rural schools west of Oakland Mills. During World War II, he served in the United States Army in the 34th Infantry Division. His company was sent to Ireland and England initially. Mr. Simmons fought in the North African Campaign and later was deployed to Italy for combat there. He received a purple heart and the oak leaves cluster for his service. After his honorable discharge from military service, Wayne was united in marriage to Selma King on April 11, 1945, in Mt. Pleasant. Wayne worked for Universal Motors for six years. In 1951, he began a 29 year career at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. He worked in materials management in the atomic energy division, and retired in 1981. Wayne was a 50 year member of the Mt. Pleasant Masonic Lodge #8, A.F. A.M. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans. Wayne loved to golf and was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Golf Country Club. His greatest love was spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife, Selma of Mt. Pleasant, IA; one son, Dennis (Suzanne) Simmons, of Moline, IL; one daughter, Mary (Phil) Hassenfritz of Mt. Pleasant, IA; three grandchildren, Matthew (Patricia) Simmons of Menomonee Falls, WI, Ryan Simmons of Hummelstown, PA, and Christine Hassenfritz of Davenport, IA. Also surviving are five great-grandchildren, Catie, Joey, Ashley, Jacob and Cameron Simmons. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother, Dale Simmons.