Daniel "Dan" E. Simmons

Rogers- Daniel "Dan" E. Simmons Sr., age 88 of Rogers, died on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, FL.

He was born on November 22, 1928 in Pittsburgh, PA, a son of the late Daniel J. and Anna Kirch Simmons.

Dan received his Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from Pennsylvania State University. He owned and operated Peace Valley Orchards in Rogers, retiring in 1993, although it always remained his passion. Over the years, he was able to secure five different patents for a variety of different apples. He was a Cardinal Member of the Ohio Fruit Growers Society and belonged to the Fruit Growers Marketing Association. Dan served on the Board of Directors of the New Waterford Bank, was a member of the East Palestine Masonic Lodge #417 F. & A.M and the East Palestine Chapter #381 Order of Eastern Star where he served as past patron. Dan was also a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church, East Palestine where he was active with both church council and Sunday School and was also a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Lakeland, FL.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary E. Donaldson Simmons, whom he married on June 16, 1951; two daughters, Carol (John) Day of Rogers, and Virginia (Thomas) Gerner of East Palestine; two sons, Paul (Rhonda) Simmons of East Palestine, and Daniel "Dano" E. (Peggy) Simmons Jr. of Rogers, and by his brother, Donald (Jan) Simmons of Titusville, FL. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Dan was preceded in death by two sisters, Virginia Miller, and Margaret Macher, and by a brother, Ralph Simmons.

The family will receive friends on Monday, December 19, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home, East Palestine.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Paul Camp officiating.

Burial will be at the New Waterford Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Dan's memory to Grace Lutheran Church, 87 W. Grant St., East Palestine, OH 44413.

Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com