John S. Simmons, 77, of Loogootee

John S. Simmons, 77, of Loogootee, passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Center.

He was born July 13, 1945 in Rutherford Township, Indiana to the late John O. and Melva (Hembree) Simmons.

John married Sandra Pendley on November 10, 1965 and shared nearly 57 years of marriage.

He held many jobs throughout the years. He was a security guard at West Boggs Park and farmed for many years. John drove a school bus for 49 years for the Loogootee Community Schools.

John was the minister of Mt. Zion Wesleyan Church for 35 years until his retirement. He enjoyed his years as a minister and loved to study his Bible. John also was the past Chaplin at the Martin County Security Center.

He was a charter member of the Martin County Coon Club. He also was a member of the Dogwood Coon Club. He loved to coon hunt, going to yard sales and watching Loogootee Lions basketball.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John O. and Melva Simmons; sister, Martha Kay Blessinger.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Simmons of Loogootee; children, Stephen Simmons, Lori Moore and John “JD” Simmons, all of Loogootee; grandchildren, Alli Squires, Ryan Simmons, Mandi Simmons, Jake Simmons and Monica Carnell; great-grandchildren, Leeland and Hunter Bays; sisters, Shelba June (Jim) Cannon and Ruth Ann (George) Ziegler, both of Loogootee. John and Sandra also helped raise, Margie Pendley-Eltzroth.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 20, 2022 at Mt. Zion Wesleyan Church in Loogootee. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Blake Funeral Home in Loogootee and Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Mt. Zion Wesleyan Church.