JACKSON COUNTY
Harry “J” Simmons, 93, passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on October 27, 1930, in Jackson County, IN, the son of the late Horace and Dorothy (Bolton) Simmons. He grew up on different farms in Jackson and Jennings Counties of Indiana before settling in the Hayden/Four Corners area of Jennings County. When drafted into the army in 1951, he began corresponding with his future wife, Irene Maschino,while in Germany. He began this correspondence slyly by writing to her asking for her brothers, Amos and Arthur’s, addresses as they had been drafted as well. Soon Irene wrote back, and a love story began. While he wasn’t thrilled to be drafted, he loved to tell stories about his time in Germany and the shenanigans he pulled especially to get out of guard duty. When he returned after 17 months in Germany, he began dating Irene and few months later, J asked Irene to marry him while seeing a movie at the Stardust drive in theater. They were married September 18, 1954, in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Four Corners, IN. Through 68 years of marriage, they raised 8 daughters and 2 sons.Short in stature, he made up for it in heart. He was a friend to everyone and did not meet a stranger. He could talk to you for hours with many “is that right” and “you don’t say”. A farmer at heart, together they raised cattle and swine and chickens, were grain farmers and every year on their anniversary, they traveled to some exotic place, like South Dakota or Kansas. It didn’t matter to them, as long as they were together. You never saw them fighting or being angry at each other.
Their love continued after their children were raised and into their golden years. His family got to witness a great blessing in the way J loved Irene through Alzheimer’s, how he cared for her, was never cross with her and treated her nothing less than his beautiful bride. He missed her so when she passed November 18, 2022, and he prayed for a time when he could be with her again. He was a strong man, a devoted Catholic, and continued loving his family along with his horses, dogs, chickens, and cows. He helped with planting and harvesting this past year with his son Bobby and Bobby’s sons and was planning on being able to coyote hunt soon.Survivors include nine children, Robert “Bobby” (Debra) Simmons of Hayden, IN; Bonnie (Tom Pericak) Simmons of Old Fort, NC; Charlotte (Billy) Hendrix of Commiskey, IN; Brenda (Lou) King of North Vernon,IN; Sandra Stockelman of Hayden, IN; Melinda (Steve) Schmidt of North Vernon, IN; Lisa (Chris) Martin of Whitestown, IN; Brad (Shannon) Simmons of Ovilla, TX; and Elizabeth (Chris) Kirchner of North Vernon, IN; son-in-law, Bryan Shelley of Lebanon, IN; sister-in-law, Agnes Euler of Columbus, IN; 27 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, daughter, Mary Kay Shelley; son-in-law Michael
Stockelman, sisters Mertice Johnson and Mary Etheleen Waldkoetter.
A Rosary service will take place Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 4:30 pm at Christensen Family Funeral Home – Seymour Chapel, 311 Holiday Square Road , Seymour, IN with visitation following from 5 to 8 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1875 S. County Road 700 W. in Four Corners. He will be laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or to the Salvation Army. Friends are invited to leave condolence messages for the family at www.christensenfamilyfuneral.com.
Daniel and Betsy Christensen have been entrusted with the arrangements.