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Samuel Simms Obituary
WEST PEORIA - Samuel R. "Sam" Simms Sr., 90, of West Peoria passed away at 2:25 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at UnityPoint Health-Proctor in Peoria.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014, at Clary Funeral Home, 3004 W. Lake Ave., Peoria, with the Rev. Dean Grabill officiating. Interment will be in Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria at a later date.
Sam was born on March 2, 1924, in Creve Coeur, the son of Robert and Eliza (Rothwell) Simms. They preceded him in death, along with three sisters, Ann Sisk, Alice Salter and Jane White; and his son-in-law, Tom Yentes. He married Helen L. Wilson on Jan. 7, 1950, in Peoria. She survives.
He is also survived by his son, Samuel R. Simms Jr. (Jennifer) of Iola, Wis.; daughters, Nancy Simms of Sun City, Ariz., and Kathy Yentes of West Peoria; granddaughters, Christy Martin (Rob) of Germantown Hills and Hope (Brian) Enslow) of McHenry; great-granddaughters, Hillary, Hayleigh and Hannah Enslow; and great-grandsons, Mike and Jake Martin.
Sam graduated from East Peoria High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Nov. 3, 1942, in Peoria. He was top turret gunner on B-17 aircraft, serving in the Central Europe Air Offensive. He was honorably discharged as a technical sergeant on Aug. 29, 1945, at Fort Sheridan, earning the Air Medal, four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with two Bronze Stars.
He retired, after 50 years of service, with E.M. Smith Co. in Peoria, last working as a sales representative. After his retirement, he was employed with the Peoria Park District at Donovan and Newman Golf Courses.
Sam was a member of the Frank D. Nichol Masonic Lodge 1170, AF&AM, in Creve Coeur; Scottish Rite Valley of Peoria Consistory, Mohammed Temple Shrine; and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 20 in Peoria.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Illinois Elks Children Care Corporation, Shriners Hospitals of Children or the Scottish Rite Valley of Peoria Consistory.
Sam's memorial website and online condolences may be accessed at www.ClaryFunerals.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Simms
Rich and Marge Hobt
March 22, 2014
Helen and Family
We are so sorry. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
March 21, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Anita Oberle
Dick Heller
March 21, 2014
Sam was a great friend and will be missed by all his early morning coffee buddies.We will remember all his stories he told us over the. years. We will keep all of you in our prayers
Joe DeWall
March 20, 2014
i worked with and worked for Big Sam at E.M. Smiths. he was always good to me as i was an apprentice machinist. very sorry for your loss.
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steve fitton
March 20, 2014
helen and family
so sorry to hear of sams passing.many good memories at bowlairo and other houses.sam kathy nancy i will keep you guys in prayer.stay strong and god will hold you in he palm of his hand
Ron Burch
March 20, 2014
Helen & Family
I am sorry for your loss. Sam was great to work with and for at EMS.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Pat Gibson
March 20, 2014
Had many a great conversation with Sam at the Elks Club. RIP my friend.
Mike & Ryan
March 20, 2014
Sam was a wonderful man and a great neighbor. He will be missed dearly.
March 20, 2014
To Simms Family,
So sorry for you loss. Remembering Sam from bowling with my dad many years ago. Prayers out to Helen, Nancy, Kathy and Sam Jr. I will keep your family in my thoughts & prayers.
Judy (Hill) Barnes
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