Joseph Windfield Simons

Joseph Simons, 83, of Marco Island, Florida, formerly of Edwardsville, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness on April 26, 2017. He was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, on August 1, 1933. After serving in the United States Army, Joe graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity. He married Donna (Blaseck) Simons on June 10, 1961 in Litchfield, Illinois.

Joe retired from General Dynamics in St. Louis in 1992 and served as an alderman for the City of Edwardsville after his retirement. He was also known as the best fisherman on Dunlap Lake, where he and his family lived for many years. He continued his love for fishing, boating, and golfing after he and his wife retired to Marco Island, first as snowbirds and eventually as full-time residents.

He is survived by his wife of almost 56 years, Donna; his daughter, Jennifer, and son-in-law, Jeff Marlett, of Marco Island; his daughter, Christine, and son-in-law, Tom Lang, of Marco Island; and grandchildren Christopher, Michelle, Jake, David, Emily, and Jason. Family was the most important thing to him and they will miss him tremendously.

A private funeral is being planned at Wesley United Methodist Church.