George Simmons Sr.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- George Elliott Simmons Sr., 85, of Sikeston, formerly of Charleston, Mo., died Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 8, 1927, in Charleston, to Elza Minor and Ethel Hurley Simmons. He and Sue Shepard were married Dec. 28, 1991.

George lived in Southeast Missouri his entire life. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture.

He served with the U.S. Army in counterintelligence during the Korean War.

After his discharge, he was employed with International Harvester, servicing Southeast Missouri until becoming a dealer for Case IH in Southeast Missouri and Illinois. Leaving Case IH in 1991, he became a real estate broker and operated Simmons Brokerage until 2012.

In addition to being active in community affairs and honored with recognition as Charleston's Man of the Year, he was a member of the United Methodist Church where he served on the administrative board and various committees.

He is survived by his wife; three children, Julie Elizabeth (Scott) Lyon of Atlanta, George Elliott Simmons Jr. of Marietta, Ga., and Jeffery Allen (Bonnie) Schmelzer of Muscatine, Iowa; a brother, Harold (Connie) Simmons of Milwaukee; four grandchildren, George Lyon and Margaret Lyon of Atlanta, Noah (Emily) Schmelzer of Ankeny, Iowa, and Evan Schmelzer of Ames, Iowa; and a great-grandson, Gabe Schmelzer of Ankeny.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the United Methodist Church in Charleston.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. David R. Collum, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in IOOF Cemetery, with graveside rites by Missouri Military Honor Guard.

Pallbearers will be Charles "Bud" Simmons, Michael Simmons, Bradley Simmons, Patrick Simmons, Hense Winchester, Mike Couch, Jim Cullison and Reginald Young.

Memorial contributions may be given to the United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 351, Charleston, MO 63834.

Online condolences may be shared at mcmiklefuneralhome.com.