E. Wayne Simmons

E. Wayne Simmons, age 79, long time Mattoon and Coles County Resident, went to be with the Lord at 2:45 p.m., Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at his home in Auburn, IL.\r\n\r\nThe funeral services celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 17, 2006 at the First United Methodist Church in Mattoon with Reverend Ron Dickinson and Reverend Tom Swantner officiating. Visitation will be Sunday evening from 5-8 p.m. at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home. Masonic rites will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Interment will be in Resthaven Memorial Gardens.\r\n\r\nMr. Simmons was born July 6, 1926 to Floyd and Flora (Miller) Simmons in Pana, IL. He was the youngest of three children and resided in Pana until moving to Mattoon in 1951. He married Martha L. Metzger January 1, 1950. They recently celebrated 56 happy years together. Martha survives, along with their daughter, Janet (Mark) Schmidt of Chatham, IL; their son, Earl (Julie) Simmons of Columbus, IN; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and sister.\r\n\r\nSimmons was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Mattoon and Auburn United Methodist Church. In Mattoon, he attended the Champion Sunday School Class, where he led the singing. This class singing was one of his fondest church memories. \r\n\r\nHe was involved in and valued the county of Coles. He served 13 years as a member of the County Board, as well as being an active Democrat precinct committeeman. He also served many years on the Troop Committee of Boy Scout Troop 57.\r\n\r\nSimmons held a variety of occupations in his life. His first and most loved was that of an engineer on the Big 4 Railroad for 11 years. He was a skilled technician for the Associated Spring Corporation in Mattoon for 26 years. A natural born salesman, Simmons also represented the Raleigh Home Products, Shaw-Barton Advertising, and Mason Shoes.\r\n\r\nActive in Masonic orders, Simmons was a 32nd degree Mason with the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, a member of Ansar Shrine, a 50-year member and Past Master of Mattoon Lodge # 260 and an honorary member of Wabash Lodge # 179. Additionally, he was Past Patron of Elect Lady Chapter # 40, Order of the Eastern Star and Past Watchman of the Shepherd, Pleiades Shrine #57, White Shrine of Jerusalem. He also served many years on the Advisory Board of the Mattoon Assembly #9 of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls.\r\n\r\nSimmons will be dearly missed. As he so often complimented his friends, he too, was 'a gentleman, a scholar and a darn good judge of soda pop!'\r\n\r\nMemorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, First United Methodist Church of Mattoon, or Auburn United Methodist Church.

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E. Wayne Simmons

July 6, 2026 - April 12, 2006