Carl Velire Simmons

Carl Velire Simmons, 78, of Fremont, formerly of South Whitley and Columbia City, passed away at 4:26 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2025, at Lutheran Downtown Hospital, Fort Wayne. Born April 27, 1947, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he was a son of the late Ned V. and Ruth Bethline (White) Simmons. Growing up in Columbia City, he attended Columbia City Joint High School. He later earned a GED from Whitko High School in 1989. In 1965, he moved to South Whitley, where he worked at the former Gripco plant for 25 years until it closed. He then went to work for C&R Plating in Columbia City, retiring in 2009. He also served as a volunteer Whitley County EMS driver for 17 years. On August 10, 2012, he married Karyl (Palmerton) Burris at Bathtub Beach in Stuart, FL. The couple made their home in Ellenton, FL, living at Terra Siesta Senior Community. They made many cherished friends, and Carl served as the President of the community's Golf Cart Club. For the past two years, they have lived full-time in Fremont, IN. He enjoyed playing the Dulcimer for family and friends. Always good-humored, Carl liked games of chance at the local Moose Club, American Legion Post, or the occasional trip to the Casinos in Michigan or South Bend. He liked a spirited game of euchre or participating in Karaoke night at the local clubs. He liked following his favorite NFL team, the Indianapolis Colts. He is survived by his wife Karyl, his children, Jamie (Wendy) Simmons, Taira Simmons, both of South Whitley, and Karah (Troy) Jester of Fort Wayne; step-children, Tammani (Mark) Weaver of Leland, MS, Andrew (Valerie) Pocock of Pleasant Lake, and Tiffany Pocock of Fremont; four grandchildren; 9 step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; 1 great-great step-grandchild; siblings, Elmer (Joan) Stocker, Beth Glassley, Esther Smith and a sister-in-law, Cindy Simmons. Additionally, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dorsey Simmons, and a brother-in-law, Ron Glassley. The funeral service is 1 p.m. on Thursday (Oct. 9th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is at the South Whitley Cemetery. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the service on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are to final expenses in c/o Smith & Sons Funeral Home.