Ralph Simkins

KNOXVILLE - Ralph Dean Simkins, age 84, of rural Knoxville, Ill., died at 7:55 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, at his home in rural Knoxville, Ill.

He was born on May 4, 1928, to Roy and Ethel (Diefendorf) of Douglas, Ill. He married Rosa (Dikeman) on May 28, 1947.

He is survived by his wife, Rosa; daughters, Ann Ehler and Norma (Bruce) Hedbloom; and son, Mike (Tammy) Simkins. He has seven grandchildren, one stepgrandson and three great-grandchildren. He has two surviving sisters, Helen and Hazel Plack of Farmington.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Murray and Wayne Simkins.

Dean graduated from Yates City High School.

He worked for several insurance companies and held insurance and real estate broker licenses.

Dean's true love was family, friends and farming, especially his cow-calf operation.

Dean was a member of Yates City Lodge No. 448, the Scottish Rite Valley of Peoria and the Mohammed Shriners. He was a past member of Knoxville Kiwanis, served on the Knox County Fair Board for 34 years and volunteered at the Mississippi Valley Blood Center.

He enjoyed all Knoxville school sporting events and was an avid Cardinals fan.

Dean was a long-standing member of the Knoxville United Methodist Church.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012, at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Knoxville, Ill. The Rev. Michel D. Clark and the Rev. Dan Lybarger will be officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012, at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Knoxville, Ill., with Masonic services conducted by the Yates City Masonic Lodge No. 448 at 7:30 p.m. Interment will be in the Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, Ill.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital, First United Methodist Church of Knoxville, Ill., or Hospice Compassus.

Online condolences or sympathy cards may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.