Samuel R. “Sam” Simms Sr., 90, of West Peoria, passed away at 2:25 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at Proctor Hospital in Peoria. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014, at Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue in Peoria, with the Rev. Dean Grabill officiating. Interment will be at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria, at a later date. Sam was born on March 2, 1924 in Creve Coeur, the son of Robert and Eliza (Rothwell) Simms. They preceded him in death, along with three sisters, Ann Sisk, Alice Salter and Jane White; and his son-in-law, Tom Yentes. He married Helen L. Wilson on January 7, 1950 in Peoria. She survives. He is also survived by his son, Samuel R. Simms Jr. (Jennifer) of Iola, WI; daughters, Nancy Simms of Sun City, AZ and Kathy Yentes of West Peoria; granddaughters, Christy Martin (Rob) of Germantown Hills and Hope (Brian) Enslow of McHenry; great granddaughters, Hillary, Hayleigh and Hannah Enslow; and great grandsons, Mike and Jake Martin. Sam graduated from East Peoria High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corps on November 3, 1942 in Peoria. He was Top Turret Gunner on B-17 aircraft, serving in the Central Europe Air Offensive. He was honorably discharged as a Technical Sergeant on August 29, 1945 at Ft. Sheridan, earning the Air Medal, four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with two Bronze Stars. He retired, after fifty years of service, with E.M. Smith Co. in Peoria, last working as a sales representative. After his retirement, he was employed with the Peoria Park District at Donovan and Newman Golf Courses. Sam was a member of the Frank D. Nichol Masonic Lodge #1170 A.F. & A.M. in Creve Coeur, Scottish Rite Valley of Peoria Consistory, Mohammed Temple Shrine and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #20 in Peoria. He enjoyed golfing with his fellow Elks members; watching all sports, especially the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs and Phil Mickelson golfing; and listening to Big Band music and Danny O’Donnell. He was a proud veteran and was an Honor Flight participant in September of 2011. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandpa. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Illinois Elk’s Children Care Corporation, Shriners Hospitals of Children or the Scottish Rite Valley of Peoria Consistory.
| Dolores Piario |
Mis condolencias |
March 3, 2015 |
Cuando muere un ser tan querido y amado,tenemos un sentimiento de pena y dolor, y lo extrañamos.
Es mi deseo transmitir un pensamiento basado en las Santas Escrituras en el libro de Juan capitulo 5 versiculos 28 y 29 escribe :No se maravillen de esto porque viene la hora en que todos los que estan en las tumbas conmemorativas escucharan mi voz la Jesucristo y saldran¡¡¡¡¡
Este pasaje habla de la resurreccion de todos nuestros seres queridos que han muerto,amorosamente Dios nos hase esta invitacion ´'Acerquense a Dios y El se acercara a ustedes.
Si desea mas informacion acerca de esta esperanza vaya al siguiente enlace
htp://w.w.w.j.w org.
| Buz and Roddy Sisk |
nephew and wife |
March 20, 2014 |
Uncle Sam, you were the best uncle ever. I still remember how proud and happy I and the rest of the family were, when we finally got you home from the war! You were an inspiration and role model to me.
I can't forget either, how you and Aunt Helen took me along on your vacation. (my very first vacation!) I know this was payment for my very first linoleum installation job, that you and Helen hired me to do. After the job was completed, I still remember the look of astonishment on your face when you saw the results!
It was only forty or so years later that I realized, what I mis-took for astonishment, was a look of total dis-belief and shock on your face! We had many laughs over the years, over this and the suttle hints that I should perhaps consider the profession of butchering rather than linoleum laying!
You will always be remembered Uncle Sam.
Our condolences and love to Aunt Helen, Sammy, Kathy, Nancy and the families.
Buz and Roddy
| Iris Bennett |
Condolences |
March 20, 2014 |
My heart aches for the family. When The Lord calls a loved one home, he leaves a gift of memories. Hold on to those memories and let them give you peace at this difficult time. Please know I am very sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers.
Iris
| tony bonati |
fellow golfer |
March 20, 2014 |
my deepest sympathies to sam's family. i always enjoyed playing golf with sam. he was a super guy and fun to be around. he will be missed by a hell of a lot of people. rest in peace, sam.
