Joel D. Simmons

Joel D. Simmons went home to be with his Savior unexpectedly on June 24, 2022. He was born on May 9, 1960, in Sioux City, Iowa, and was one of nine children of Irene and Howard Simmons.

Joel was a man of action who put his heart into everything he did. It should come as no surprise that he had many a story to tell.

He once captained a Model T, which was half buried in a riverbed, as passers canoeing by gawked in surprise. As a teen on a camping trip, Joel used his camera flash from a bridge to see what moved in the creek water below, only to discover old men scurrying for towels because they were using the only bath available to them. So many stories of his youth, such as frozen farts, convertible jumping, and railroad track photo finishes, have and will continue to inspire the coming generations.

While leading Kidzone Children's Ministry, his sketches of "God Man", the "gospel according to Winnie the Pooh", "Big-Baby Moses", or "The Joel Dance" were fun means to teach his young pupils about faith in Christ. His artwork, such as converting a church hallway into a jungle complete with a stream, palm trees, and bridges, awed everyone who viewed it. Nor will anyone soon forget many delicacies of smoked meats, pasta salad, beef stroganoff, pork cutlets, or turtle cheesecake he made at Pappies Smokehouse.

While his many exploits are fun to reminisce, what really defined Joel were two simple concepts found in Mark 12:30–31: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength...and love your neighbor as yourself. Living this teaching was His greatest achievement and testament. Joel, known for his kindness, his thoughtfulness, and his patience with those around him, championed others over himself. This led to many hardships in life. He seemingly lost more battles than can be recounted, but his many victories are evidenced in the hearts and lives of those who met him. Joel was a father to six children, while taking in ten additional children and teens. His love for his children was only slightly surpassed by his delight in his grandchildren, who were the light of his later life. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten as his many lessons and stories will live on through those whom he influenced for Jesus Christ.

Joel served as a pastor in Iowa for ten years before moving to Marion, Indiana, where he worked for 18 years to become the Assistant Director of Res Care, while simultaneously serving as Children's Pastor for eight years. Joel was also well-known for contributing his culinary skills to the family-owned Pappies Smokehouse and Lunch Box Restaurant in Gas City, Indiana.

Joel is survived by the love of his life and former wife, Jalinda Owens; children: AJ (Christina) Simmons; Luke (Marissa) Simmons; Bethany (Zach) Shelton; and Logan, Dallas, and Reneesha Simmons; grandchildren: Autumn, Carley, Steven, Stephanie, Charlotte, Tobias, and Naomi Simmons; brothers: Dennis, Scott, and Jeff Simmons; and sisters, Lauri Rich, Caroline Borden, Christine Hough, and Dr. Leanne Simmons.

Joel was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Roger Simmons.

A celebration of Joel's life will be held at 1:30 pm on Sunday, July 10, 2022, at Maple Run Friends Church, 4460 W. 400 S., Marion, IN 46953.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St., Gas City, IN 46933.

Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.