Ralph Earnest Simmons

Ralph Earnest Simmons, 86, of Gnadenhutten, won the battle with leukemia after courageously fighting it for one year, and entered into the presence of his Lord on Tuesday, May 13, 2014.

Born in Looneyville, West Virginia on March 25, 1928, he was the son of the late Earnest Scott and Blanche Jane (Phillips) Simmons.

Ralph completed his formal education and served his country during the Korean War. He then spent his professional career as a truck driver, most recently working for and retiring from the former Associated Grocers.

On May 15, 1953, Ralph married his lifelong friend and companion, the former Shirley M. Ashleman, whom he met on a blind date. Together, they raised their children, Scott and Sandy.

Ralph’s greatest joy was being on his riding lawnmower taking care of his lawn, the baseball fields in Gnadenhutten, or at a neighbor’s property.

Ralph’s family includes his wife, Shirley of Gnadenhutten; his son, Scott (Kandy) Simmons of Bolivar; his grandchildren, Kelly Simmons of North Canton and Eric (Emily) Simmons of Barnesville; his great-grandson, Elliot Simmons; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his sister, Lorrene Orr Fausnight and his daughter, Sandra Joann Simmons.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home at New Philadelphia on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. A service celebrating his life will be held in the funeral home chapel on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. with inurnment to follow in Gnadenhutten Clay Union Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to either the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Attn: donor services, PO Box 4072 Pittsfield, MA 01202 or the Gnadenhutten United Methodist Church, 220 N Walnut St, Gnadenhutten, OH 44629.