Niles G. Simmons

Niles G. Simmons, 95, of Wallace, passed away on June 24, 2022. He was born to Niles J. Simmons Sr. and Ella V. (Porterfield) Simmons on June 17, 1927, in Heartwell. He attended District No. 27 and Star Country School in the Sutherland area. He obtained his GED at Fort Riley, Kansas, while serving in the Army. Niles married Joan Ecker Cohen on Sept. 10, 1960, in Denver. Their family included three children, seven grandchildren and 10 great-granddaughters. He was a rancher from the beginning of his life until the end. Niles joined the Merchant Marines at age 17. In 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After training at Fort Riley, Kansas, he was sent to Korea. He fought on the frontline and later served as a member of the Honor Guard. He reached the rank of sergeant in the 2nd Infantry Division 38th Regiment where he earned Bronze Service Stars and the Combat Infantry Badge. He was a member and supporter of St. Mary Catholic Church, Wallace, American Legion Post No. 213 and a founding member of the Wallace Roping Club. Niles and Joan enjoyed spending time traveling throughout the United States watching their Quarter Horses race. He was preceded in death by his parents, Niles Sr. and Ella; his wife, Joan in 2008; sister, Gloria Dodson; brother, John (Jack) Simmons; and brothers-in-law, Roger Ecker and Joe Dodson. Niles is survived by his three children, Mary Anne (Kevin) Knapple of Papillion, Lisa (Dave) Josten of North Platte and Terry (Tammy) Simmons of North Platte; grandchildren, Jennifer (John) Kuhn of Spring Hill, Kansas, Nicholas (Peggy) Knapple of Olathe, Kansas, Lindsay (David) Henson of Papillion, Chelsea (Rob) Maranville of Pendleton, Oregon, Mitchell Josten of North Platte, Sammy Jo (Maulin) Vora of Santa Rosa, California, and Shelby Simmons of Burbank, California; great-granddaughters, Lucy Kuhn, Lily Kuhn, Sadie Kuhn, Lincoln Knapple, Bess Henson, Maggie Henson, Nyla Maranville, Cora Maranville, Aarchia Vora and Felix Williams; sister, Shirley Ann Simmons of Louisville, Kentucky; his faithful dog, Chester; and many other family members and friends. Memorials are suggested to the American Legion Post 213, Wallace. Online condolences may be shared at adamsswanson.com Mass of Christian Burial is at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Wallace, with Father Thomas Bush as celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow at the Morning View Cemetery, Wallace. Visitation is from noon to 5 p.m., followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 5, at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.