Carl Francis Simms

Carl Francis Simms, 86, went home to be with his Lord December 13, 2025, at Witham Hospital in Lebanon, Indiana. He is survived by his stepdaughter, Paula (Jim) Kochert of Lebanon, grandchildren Courtny (Samantha) Cotten of Crawfordsville, Indiana, Trace Cotten Abita Springs, Louisiana, Madaline Kochert of Lebanon, and Marigrace (Caleb) Brannon of Lebanon plus four great grandchildren, Dorthy and Francis Cotten, and Lenox and Goldie Brannon.
Surviving Carl are sisters-Mary Simms Merrill and Barbara Young; brothers-Harold Simms and Bill Young. Nieces- Sindi (David) Bixler, Jody (Robert) Frye, Daffanie Spencer. Nephews- Tony (Dianne) Merrill, Darcy Simms, also several great nieces and nephews.
Carl was predeceased by his wife Donna Wilhite Dowell whom he married April 4, 1995, and she passed in 2009. Although Carl had no children, he welcomed Paula as his own. He was predeceased by his parents and his best friend, Art Merrill, whom he considered a brother, also brothers-Robert Shirley, Richard Shirley, and sister Shirley Parker.
Carl was born October 27, 1939, to Melvin and Ruth Hullinger Simms at Hillsboro, Indiana, and attended school at Richland Township in Newtown, Indiana.
He served in the US Army stationed in Texas during the Vietnam War. After completing his military service, he worked and retired from California Pellet Mill in Crawfordsville, Indiana. After his retirement, he and Donna moved to the Marshall, Indiana, area.
He and Donna loved to go camping, and he loved to go fishing. In his later years, he loved to watch old westerns and could tell you names of every actor in them. He could always be seen at his grandchildren's events cheering them on. He was a people person, so he loved visiting and "shooting the breeze."
His wish was for cremation and will be laid to rest beside Donna at the Waynetown Masonic Cemetery, in Waynetown, Indiana.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at a later date. Barnes and Rice Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.