Richard L. Simmons

February 8, 1943 - February 19, 2021

Richard L. Simmons, age 78, of Edwardsville, IL, passed away at 8:36 p.m. on Friday, February 19, 2021, at his home. He was born on February 8, 1943 in Caseyville, IL, the son of the late Ameila Ringering. Richard married Sharon Ooton on January 16, 1965 at Worden Methodist Church in Worden, IL. Together they shared 56 years of marriage. Besides his wife, Richard is survived by three sons; Richard J. Simmons of Edwardsville, Darren Scott Simmons and his wife, Stephanie, of Murphysboro, IL, and Travis L. Simmons and his wife, Christy, of Glen Carbon, IL; seven grandchildren, Chance Keown and his wife, Carli, of Hillsboro, IL, Megan Simmons and her fiancé, Tyler, of Benton, IL, Xander Simmons of Murphysboro, IL, Hope Simmons of East Alton, IL, Alayna Simmons of Murphysboro, IL, Kirsten Simmons, of Glen Carbon, IL, and KayLee Simmons of Glen Carbon, IL; one great grandchild, Clair Keown of Hillsboro, IL; one brother, Charles Simmons of Carlyle, IL; and two sisters, Margaret Henderson and her husband, Dale, of Livingston, IL and Delores Hanner of Roxana, IL. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ameila, when he was two years old; his grandparents and aunt who raised him after her passing, Bernard and Margaret Ringering and Alvinia Ringering; another aunt, Dorothy Hessel; and two sisters, Shirley Stewart and Carol Sue Schindewolf. Richard was a truck driver his entire career, working up until late December 2020. He drove for Farm Service, Yellow Freight, and Zorbrist Trucking of Highland, IL. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served in Vietnam. Richard was a lifetime member at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Edwardsville, a 56 year member of the American Legion, a Teamsters member, and served on the cemetery committee at St. Paul U.C.C. Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville. A private family funeral service will be held at St. Paul United Church of Christ Church the following day with Rev. Diane Grohmann presiding. The graveside service is open for anyone to attend and will take place at St. Paul U.C.C. Cemetery at about 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2021. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Saint Paul United Church of Christ.