Jene Simon
Jene E. Simon, 78, of Columbia City, died at 10:47 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, at his home surrounded by loved ones.
He was born Jan. 30, 1938 in Whitley County, a son of Jesse and Rose (Witte) Simon. A lifelong resident of Whitley County, he graduated from Columbia City High School.
On June 27, 1956 he enlisted in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged March 11, 1963.
He was employed at Dana Corp. in Fort Wayne from 1961 until 1967, Columbia City Police Department from 1968 until 1971, Don Ayres Pontiac Honda from 1971 until 1974 and began driving truck in 1974 until his retirement in 2002.
In November 1969 he married Jean E. (Sievers) Pelfrey.
His church affiliation was with Grace Lutheran Church and he was a member of Sons of the American Legion Post No. 98.
Surviving relatives include his companion: Jean; four children, Billy J. (Elaine) Simon of Illinois, Debra Kay (Gale) Eversol of Woodburn, Mary J. (Paul Shepherd) Nordman and Lori A. (Lupe) Morua, both of Columbia City; nine grandchildren: Christa (Kyle) Wood, Aimee Simon, Cassandra (Roderick) King, Corey Simon, Emily Simon, Amanda Nordman, Orlando Morua, Tristan Morua and Selene Morua; a stepgranddaughter: Justine Shepherd; and stepgreat grandchild: Raven Smith.
He was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth E. Simon; a brother, Leroy F. Simon; and four sisters: Doris Simon, Mary Alice Lincoln, Loretta Mowan and Rea J. Lambert.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 207 N. Main St., Columbia City. The burial will be in Eberhard Cemetery. The visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to final expense account payable to Smith & Sons Funeral Home.