John F. Simons, 80, of Versailles, died at 4:25 a.m. May 3, 2009, at his residence.

He was born on Jan. 18, 1929, in Frenchtown to Lawrence E. and Estella Baltes Simons. On April 14, 1955, he married Evelyn Pohl, who survives.

Surviving are daughters, Carol Simons, Sharon (Tom) Groff and Nancy (Jim) Coons, all of Versailles, and Marilyn (Gale) Wills, Cincinnati; a son, Mark (Judy) Simons, Clarkville, Md.; siblings, Mary Dues, Versailles, Geneive (Alfred) Tobe, Dayton, Luella Dues, Dayton, Ruth Aselage, Fort Loramie, Alma (John) Pequignot, Greenville, Lawrence A. (Shirley) Simons, Versailles, Verdice (Jerry) Brandts, Celina, Phyllis Imwalle, Dayton, and Catherine Simons, Versailles; brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-law, Kathy (Bill) Freeman, Celina, Dr. Kenneth P. (Angela) Pohl, Dayton, Harold (Debra) Pohl, Versailles, Bernice (Dick) Berger, Bradford, and Doris (Ronald) Barga, Ansonia; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a brother, Noah J. Simons; brothers-in-law, William Dues, Joseph J. Dues, Louis Aselage, Frederick Imwalle and Ivo Budde; and a sister-in-law, Gloria Pohl.

He retired from BF Goodrich as a tool and die maker after 34 years. He was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church, a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Veteran's of Foreign Wars, all in Versailles. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army's First Calvary Division in the Korean War.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. David Vincent officiating. Burial is at St. Valbert Cemetery, Versailles. Graveside military services to be conducted by the Versailles Honor Guard.

Calling is 3-8 p.m. Tuesday and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home, Versailles.

Contributions can be made to the State of the Heart Hospice or the Versailles Life Squad.

Condolences can be left www.zecharbailey.com.