EARL P. SIMMONDS

Earl Page Simmonds, 84, of rural Humboldt, passed away Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, at his home in rural Humboldt. He was born April 23, 1930 in Sabetha, KS, to Earl and Rilla (Page) Simmonds.  

Earl was raised on the family farm south of Humboldt and attended Middleburg country school. He then attended Honey Creek Consolidated Schools and graduated from Honey Creek High School with the Class of 1948. On Nov. 27, 1951, Earl entered the U.S. Army active status in Omaha and served his country during the Korean Conflict until being honorably discharged on Nov. 10, 1953.  

On Oct. 9, 1952, Earl was united in marriage to Janet Middaugh in Skokie, IL. To this union, two children, Linda and David, were born. The couple raised their family on a farm south of Humboldt, while Earl worked at the Cooper Flour Mill and farmed the home place. He worked for Cooper’s Flour Mill until 1986, when he and Jan moved to Winston-Salem, NC. Earl worked in a flour mill in Mocksville, NC, until he retired in 2002.

Earl and Jan moved back to the farm South of Humboldt in 2002 and have been active in many community organizations. Earl was a member of the Harvey-Mann Legion Post #269 and served for different lodges and positions for the Odd Fellows Lodge. He began his membership by joining the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Falls City and later transferred his membership to the Odd Fellows Lodge #34 in Humboldt, where he served as Past Noble Grand and Past Grand Master of the state of Nebraska. While living in North Carolina, Earl belonged to Salem Lodge #36 and Salem Encampment Lodge #20 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.   

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Clair Simmonds.

Earl is survived by his wife, Jan, of rural Humboldt; daughter, Linda Hardenberger, of Lexington, NC; son, David Simmonds, of rural Humboldt; grandchildren, Scott (BJ) Freeman, of Humboldt, Bryan (Cricket) Freeman, of Mocksville, NC, Krystal (Mike) Simpson, of Falls City, Shane Hardenberger, of Asheboro, NC, Alyn “Sky” Simmonds, of Lexington, NC, Logan Ballue, of Salina, KS; 12 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Chester (Joan) Middaugh, of Kissimmee, FL; and many other relatives and friends.

Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014 at The Four-Mile Congregational Church in rural Humboldt, with Pastor Ron Russell officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, 2014 at The Wherry Mortuary in Humboldt, with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m.

Inurnment will be at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, with full military honors conducted by the Harvey-Mann Legion Post #269 and the Nebraska Army Honor Guard. Memorials contributions are suggested to the family’s choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.wherrymortuary.com