JOHN R SIMON was the youngest of 9 children born to Jacob Elam Simon and Francis Curl, who married in 1873. His middle name, which he spelled and signed "Rigger" on his World War 1 draft registration form, is most often recorded in his family history as "Reger". His paternal grandmother's name was Celia Reger (she married George Simon in 1837). His maternal grandparents were John A. Curl and Nancy Edmonds Curl [Breen], who married in 1847.
School and Career: John lived and went to school in Carterville, Missouri, in his young life and completed the eighth grade. He then began working as a machinist--was apprenticed at age 12--and was thus employed in his early days in Carterville, Missouri, and nearby Webb City areas.
Love and Marriage: John fell in love, and married on February 29, 1916, in Webb City, a local Webb City girl, Frances Belle Roberts. The couple joked with their family about only being able to celebrate their anniversary every four years.
Family and Moving: John and Frances had three children: Jay "Jake" Simon, Betty Jane Simon Murdock, and Richard "Dick" George Simon. After the birth of his three children, and the death of his mother Francis in 1923, the family moved briefly to Riverton, Kansas, then on to Galena, Kansas, by 1925, and there they would make their home for the rest of their married lives.
John's reason for first living in Riverton was his employment for the local electric company, Empire District, as a machinist and for a while as shop foreman. He continued to work there after the move to Galena.
Passion for Education: Education of their children was critically important to John and Frances. As his granddaughter Rose Anna said, "Both of my Simon grandparents admired education, perhaps because circumstances made it impossible for them to pursue higher education for themselves. Grandpa John Simon left school after the eighth grade but had a very sharp mind." For several years from the 1930's into the 1960's John served on the Galena school board, and as its president for many years. The parents took pride in the educational accomplishments of all 3 of their children, all of whom were university graduates--two with PhDs (Betty and Dick) and one the Editor of Golf Digest (Jay).
Life: John was admired and respected not only in the local education venue, but in his community, where he served for years in his church, as well as the fraternal order of the Masons. John always put action to his beliefs, and required the same of his children. He was well-loved by his children and grandchildren, who would create their lives far from Galena--yet it was trips to Galena to see their parents and grandparents that lightened their hearts, and would forever after be imprinted in their memories.
OBITUARY
From the THE GALENA SENTINEL TIMES, September 21, 1983, page 2, column 6:
JOHN SIMON
John R. Simon, 91, 1004 Short St., died suddenly Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1983 at his home.
Mr. Simon was born Oct. 4, 1891, in Carterville, Mo., and moved to Galena from Riverton about 55 years ago. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWI. He retired in 1958 after being employed for 38 years as a machinist for the Empire District Electric Co. plant in Riverton.
He was a member of the Sixth Street Baptist Church, where he had served as a deacon for 50 years.
He had served on the Galena Board of Education for 34 years, as board president for 18 years, resigning in 1973. He was a past master of the Galena Masonic Lodge.
He married Frances Roberts on Feb. 29, 1916, in Webb City, Mo. She survives.
Other survivors include two sons, Jay Simon, Westport, Conn., and Richard Simon, Greeley, Colo.; a daughter, Betty Murdock, Milpitas, Calif., nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Services were under direction of Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena.
Services for Mr. Simon were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sixth Street Baptist Church.
The Rev. Burton Greenwood officiated with the Rev. Vern Kenney assisting. Burial was in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin, Mo.
Pallbearers were Wayne Bradshaw, Gene Tracy, Albert Anderson, Pat Price, Vernon Jordan and Bill Pittman.
Masonic rites were conducted Friday at Derfelt Funeral Home.
~~mjp~~
School and Career: John lived and went to school in Carterville, Missouri, in his young life and completed the eighth grade. He then began working as a machinist--was apprenticed at age 12--and was thus employed in his early days in Carterville, Missouri, and nearby Webb City areas.
Love and Marriage: John fell in love, and married on February 29, 1916, in Webb City, a local Webb City girl, Frances Belle Roberts. The couple joked with their family about only being able to celebrate their anniversary every four years.
Family and Moving: John and Frances had three children: Jay "Jake" Simon, Betty Jane Simon Murdock, and Richard "Dick" George Simon. After the birth of his three children, and the death of his mother Francis in 1923, the family moved briefly to Riverton, Kansas, then on to Galena, Kansas, by 1925, and there they would make their home for the rest of their married lives.
John's reason for first living in Riverton was his employment for the local electric company, Empire District, as a machinist and for a while as shop foreman. He continued to work there after the move to Galena.
Passion for Education: Education of their children was critically important to John and Frances. As his granddaughter Rose Anna said, "Both of my Simon grandparents admired education, perhaps because circumstances made it impossible for them to pursue higher education for themselves. Grandpa John Simon left school after the eighth grade but had a very sharp mind." For several years from the 1930's into the 1960's John served on the Galena school board, and as its president for many years. The parents took pride in the educational accomplishments of all 3 of their children, all of whom were university graduates--two with PhDs (Betty and Dick) and one the Editor of Golf Digest (Jay).
Life: John was admired and respected not only in the local education venue, but in his community, where he served for years in his church, as well as the fraternal order of the Masons. John always put action to his beliefs, and required the same of his children. He was well-loved by his children and grandchildren, who would create their lives far from Galena--yet it was trips to Galena to see their parents and grandparents that lightened their hearts, and would forever after be imprinted in their memories.
OBITUARY
From the THE GALENA SENTINEL TIMES, September 21, 1983, page 2, column 6:
JOHN SIMON
John R. Simon, 91, 1004 Short St., died suddenly Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1983 at his home.
Mr. Simon was born Oct. 4, 1891, in Carterville, Mo., and moved to Galena from Riverton about 55 years ago. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWI. He retired in 1958 after being employed for 38 years as a machinist for the Empire District Electric Co. plant in Riverton.
He was a member of the Sixth Street Baptist Church, where he had served as a deacon for 50 years.
He had served on the Galena Board of Education for 34 years, as board president for 18 years, resigning in 1973. He was a past master of the Galena Masonic Lodge.
He married Frances Roberts on Feb. 29, 1916, in Webb City, Mo. She survives.
Other survivors include two sons, Jay Simon, Westport, Conn., and Richard Simon, Greeley, Colo.; a daughter, Betty Murdock, Milpitas, Calif., nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Services were under direction of Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena.
Services for Mr. Simon were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sixth Street Baptist Church.
The Rev. Burton Greenwood officiated with the Rev. Vern Kenney assisting. Burial was in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin, Mo.
Pallbearers were Wayne Bradshaw, Gene Tracy, Albert Anderson, Pat Price, Vernon Jordan and Bill Pittman.
Masonic rites were conducted Friday at Derfelt Funeral Home.
~~mjp~~
JOHN R SIMON was the youngest of 9 children born to Jacob Elam Simon and Francis Curl, who married in 1873. His middle name, which he spelled and signed "Rigger" on his World War 1 draft registration form, is most often recorded in his family history as "Reger". His paternal grandmother's name was Celia Reger (she married George Simon in 1837). His maternal grandparents were John A. Curl and Nancy Edmonds Curl [Breen], who married in 1847.
School and Career: John lived and went to school in Carterville, Missouri, in his young life and completed the eighth grade. He then began working as a machinist--was apprenticed at age 12--and was thus employed in his early days in Carterville, Missouri, and nearby Webb City areas.
Love and Marriage: John fell in love, and married on February 29, 1916, in Webb City, a local Webb City girl, Frances Belle Roberts. The couple joked with their family about only being able to celebrate their anniversary every four years.
Family and Moving: John and Frances had three children: Jay "Jake" Simon, Betty Jane Simon Murdock, and Richard "Dick" George Simon. After the birth of his three children, and the death of his mother Francis in 1923, the family moved briefly to Riverton, Kansas, then on to Galena, Kansas, by 1925, and there they would make their home for the rest of their married lives.
John's reason for first living in Riverton was his employment for the local electric company, Empire District, as a machinist and for a while as shop foreman. He continued to work there after the move to Galena.
Passion for Education: Education of their children was critically important to John and Frances. As his granddaughter Rose Anna said, "Both of my Simon grandparents admired education, perhaps because circumstances made it impossible for them to pursue higher education for themselves. Grandpa John Simon left school after the eighth grade but had a very sharp mind." For several years from the 1930's into the 1960's John served on the Galena school board, and as its president for many years. The parents took pride in the educational accomplishments of all 3 of their children, all of whom were university graduates--two with PhDs (Betty and Dick) and one the Editor of Golf Digest (Jay).
Life: John was admired and respected not only in the local education venue, but in his community, where he served for years in his church, as well as the fraternal order of the Masons. John always put action to his beliefs, and required the same of his children. He was well-loved by his children and grandchildren, who would create their lives far from Galena--yet it was trips to Galena to see their parents and grandparents that lightened their hearts, and would forever after be imprinted in their memories.
OBITUARY
From the THE GALENA SENTINEL TIMES, September 21, 1983, page 2, column 6:
JOHN SIMON
John R. Simon, 91, 1004 Short St., died suddenly Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1983 at his home.
Mr. Simon was born Oct. 4, 1891, in Carterville, Mo., and moved to Galena from Riverton about 55 years ago. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWI. He retired in 1958 after being employed for 38 years as a machinist for the Empire District Electric Co. plant in Riverton.
He was a member of the Sixth Street Baptist Church, where he had served as a deacon for 50 years.
He had served on the Galena Board of Education for 34 years, as board president for 18 years, resigning in 1973. He was a past master of the Galena Masonic Lodge.
He married Frances Roberts on Feb. 29, 1916, in Webb City, Mo. She survives.
Other survivors include two sons, Jay Simon, Westport, Conn., and Richard Simon, Greeley, Colo.; a daughter, Betty Murdock, Milpitas, Calif., nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Services were under direction of Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena.
Services for Mr. Simon were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sixth Street Baptist Church.
The Rev. Burton Greenwood officiated with the Rev. Vern Kenney assisting. Burial was in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin, Mo.
Pallbearers were Wayne Bradshaw, Gene Tracy, Albert Anderson, Pat Price, Vernon Jordan and Bill Pittman.
Masonic rites were conducted Friday at Derfelt Funeral Home.
~~mjp~~
School and Career: John lived and went to school in Carterville, Missouri, in his young life and completed the eighth grade. He then began working as a machinist--was apprenticed at age 12--and was thus employed in his early days in Carterville, Missouri, and nearby Webb City areas.
Love and Marriage: John fell in love, and married on February 29, 1916, in Webb City, a local Webb City girl, Frances Belle Roberts. The couple joked with their family about only being able to celebrate their anniversary every four years.
Family and Moving: John and Frances had three children: Jay "Jake" Simon, Betty Jane Simon Murdock, and Richard "Dick" George Simon. After the birth of his three children, and the death of his mother Francis in 1923, the family moved briefly to Riverton, Kansas, then on to Galena, Kansas, by 1925, and there they would make their home for the rest of their married lives.
John's reason for first living in Riverton was his employment for the local electric company, Empire District, as a machinist and for a while as shop foreman. He continued to work there after the move to Galena.
Passion for Education: Education of their children was critically important to John and Frances. As his granddaughter Rose Anna said, "Both of my Simon grandparents admired education, perhaps because circumstances made it impossible for them to pursue higher education for themselves. Grandpa John Simon left school after the eighth grade but had a very sharp mind." For several years from the 1930's into the 1960's John served on the Galena school board, and as its president for many years. The parents took pride in the educational accomplishments of all 3 of their children, all of whom were university graduates--two with PhDs (Betty and Dick) and one the Editor of Golf Digest (Jay).
Life: John was admired and respected not only in the local education venue, but in his community, where he served for years in his church, as well as the fraternal order of the Masons. John always put action to his beliefs, and required the same of his children. He was well-loved by his children and grandchildren, who would create their lives far from Galena--yet it was trips to Galena to see their parents and grandparents that lightened their hearts, and would forever after be imprinted in their memories.
OBITUARY
From the THE GALENA SENTINEL TIMES, September 21, 1983, page 2, column 6:
JOHN SIMON
John R. Simon, 91, 1004 Short St., died suddenly Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1983 at his home.
Mr. Simon was born Oct. 4, 1891, in Carterville, Mo., and moved to Galena from Riverton about 55 years ago. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWI. He retired in 1958 after being employed for 38 years as a machinist for the Empire District Electric Co. plant in Riverton.
He was a member of the Sixth Street Baptist Church, where he had served as a deacon for 50 years.
He had served on the Galena Board of Education for 34 years, as board president for 18 years, resigning in 1973. He was a past master of the Galena Masonic Lodge.
He married Frances Roberts on Feb. 29, 1916, in Webb City, Mo. She survives.
Other survivors include two sons, Jay Simon, Westport, Conn., and Richard Simon, Greeley, Colo.; a daughter, Betty Murdock, Milpitas, Calif., nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Services were under direction of Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena.
Services for Mr. Simon were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sixth Street Baptist Church.
The Rev. Burton Greenwood officiated with the Rev. Vern Kenney assisting. Burial was in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin, Mo.
Pallbearers were Wayne Bradshaw, Gene Tracy, Albert Anderson, Pat Price, Vernon Jordan and Bill Pittman.
Masonic rites were conducted Friday at Derfelt Funeral Home.
~~mjp~~
Inscription
SIMON
John R
1891-1983
Gravesite Details
Shares marker with wife Frances
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