Bernard Charles Simmons

Bernard Charles Simmons, age 95 of Clinton, Iowa, formerly of Preston, Iowa died Saturday, November 27, 2010 at the Alverno Nursing Facility, Clinton, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Preston. Burial will take place in Preston Cemetery, Preston, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at the Miller-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Preston. A memorial fund has been established in Bernard’s memory.

Bernard was born on May 21, 1915, the son of Burr and Ida (Behrens) Simmons in Buckeye, Iowa. He attended Buckeye Country School #6 in Van Buren Township. Bernard married Betty I. Baker on February 26, 1942 in St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Preston. Betty died on November 5, 2001.

Bernard was a farmer in VanBuren Township and moved to Clinton, Iowa in 1967. He began working for Clinton Culvert and continued working there for over ten years. Bernard was a member of the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Preston. Bernard loved horses. He and his wife, Betty, helped start the Preston Saddle Club. Most of all, Bernard loved spending time with his family and friends.

Bernard will be dearly missed by his two children, Burton (Patsy) Simmons, and Kay (the late Frank) Martin, both of Clinton, Iowa; six grandchildren, Barbara (Al) Edfors, Susan Petersen, Sean (Breeana) Martin, Brett (Shelley) Simmons, Marti Whalen, and Daniel (Megan) Simmons; twelve great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. Bernard was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; two sisters, Vera Simmons and Gladys Grossman; two brothers, Gerald and Harold Simmons; and one great grandson, Braeden Simmons.