Harold Francis Simmonds Jr., age 89, Celina, Ohio passed away at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday June 11, 2016, at the Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater.

He was born on Jan. 11, 1927 in Manhattan, New York to the late Harold F. and Elizabeth (Nyelis) Simmonds. On April 27, 1957 he married Jane (Miller) Shawver, who died Oct. 17, 2010.

Survivors include his daughter Karla J. Johnston of Chesterfield, MO., two grandchildren Steven (Susan) Johnston of Miami, FL., Angela (Gregg) Gammon of Cincinnati, five great grandchildren; Alex, Justin, Jayna, Sophia and Holden, niece and nephew Susan (Peter) DeCoster of New York and Joseph L'Episcopo Jr. of Glens Falls, NY.

Harold was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law Betty and Joseph L'Episcopo Sr.

Harold graduated from Yonkers High School, Yonkers, New York in 1944 and graduated from New York University, New York, with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Degree in June of 1951, after his service in the U.S. Army. He was honored as a Distinguished Military Graduate and was a brother in the Phi Chapter of Zeta Psi Fraternity at New York University, elected as a member of the Pi Tau Sigma Honorary Mechanical Engineering Fraternity, and a member of the Scabbard and Blade Honorary Military Fraternity.

He served in 1945 and 1946 with the 1st Armored Division, 27th Armored Field Artillery in Europe and during the Occupation of Germany after WWII. After his graduation from college in 1951, he served in France, Germany and England with the United States 12th Air Force as a radar officer, from 1951 to 1953, during the Korean War.

Following his military service, he entered the civilian work force and became the Manager of Engineering for the Refrigerator/Freezer Appliance Division of Westinghouse Electric. Subsequently, in 1971 he was the Director of Appliance Engineering for Gaffers & Sattler a California Division of Magic Chef Corporation, followed by serving as Vice President of Engineering and Vice President of Operations for three of the Heating and Air-conditioning Division Factories of Magic Chef.

During the years following 1986, he served as the Vice President of Operations and Executive Vice President of Operation for the White New Idea Agriculture Division of Allied Corporation in Coldwater, Ohio and Charles City, Iowa.

A memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday June 20, 2016 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Celina, with Rev. Jeff Gramza officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the Church. The Lehman-Dzendzel Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson's Foundation 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800 Miami, Florida 33131.

Condolences may be left at LehmanDzendzelFH.com.