Donald Lewis Simmons

Donald Lewis Simmons, 90, of Tipton, passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025 in Mercy Hospital, Cedar Rapids with family by his side. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, March 1st at 1:00 pm, Tipton Masonic Cemetery, with Rev. Ronald Lashmit officiating. Full military honors will be given by the Tipton VFW Post 2537 and the Tipton American Legion, Post 123. Pallbearers will be Rodney Laucamp, Earl Rupe, Mike Rekemeyer and Rich Peck. A memorial fund has been established with proceeds being donated to the Veterans. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com

Don was born August 21, 1934 in Iowa City, Iowa. He was the son of Laverne L. Simmons and Mildred Pearl Graver Simmons. Don graduated from Lisbon High School and shortly after enlisted in the United State Navy where he served his country during the Korean War. Don was united in marriage to Gladys Jean Thurston on October 13, 1956 in Iowa City. Don was a skilled carpenter. He started Simmons Home Improvement in Tipton and in his spare time Don liked fishing, camping, mushroom hunting and woodworking. Don was a volunteer fireman, a past member of the Tipton Moose Lodge #730 and the Tipton Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2537.  Don loved spending time with family and friends and visiting with the afternoon social club at the VFW. He enjoyed his granddogs (Chloe and Dallas), and traveling to Florida to see his grandkids and great-grandkids.

Don is survived by his daughters, Tina and her husband, Roger Woode of Lake Mary, Florida and Darcy and her husband, Kary Miller of Ely, Iowa, his grandchildren, Jennifer and her husband, Matt Hahn and Jamie and her husband, Matt McClung, great-grandchildren, Dylan and Mia Hahn and Olivia and Chase McClung. Don is also survived by his sisters, Joan and Jean. He was preceded in death by his parents, Laverne and Mildred, wife, Gladys on December 14, 2020, and his siblings, Gaylord, Lyle, Bonnie and Faye.