Vivian A. “Viv” Simmons

Vivian “Viv” Simmons, 92, North Manchester, passed away Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, in Timbercrest Senior Living Community, North Manchester. 

He was born Sept. 16, 1925, in Bedford, to Raymond S. and Rose (Wagoner) Simmons. He graduated from Bedford High School in 1943 where he played in the state basketball tournament. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII on the aircraft carrier USS Salamaua.

On March 16, 1947 he married Neva J. Owens.  She passed away August 26, 2000.  Viv was a retired school administrator. In 2011 he was named North Manchester Citizen of the Year and was co-founder of the Garber-Simmons Senior Center, North Manchester.   He was a lifelong Rotarian and received the Paul Harris Fellow recognition twice and was a member of North Manchester united Methodist Church. 

He is survived by his daughter, Sally (Robert) Vaccaro, Mansfield, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Sue Simmons, Westfield; grandchildren, Abbie (Russ) Mann, Carmel, Brad (Whitney) Simmons, Westfield, Elizabeth (Bart) Ames, Mansfield, Ohio and Benjamin (Amanda) Vaccaro, Ruskin, Florida; great grandchildren, Ava, Annie, Taylor, Delaney, Burke, Grace & Noah. 

One son, Joseph C. Simmons, four brothers, Lowell, Forty, Doyle and Ray Jr., and one sister, Mary Ruth Lewis, are deceased. 

Family and friends may call from noon until 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, at North Manchester United Methodist Church, 306 E. 2nd Street, North Manchester,.  Services will be 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, at the church. 

Pastor David Colgan, Pastor Mark Eastway and Pastor Larry Ray will officiate.  Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester. 

For those who wish to honor the memory of Vivian A. “Viv” Simmons, memorial contributions may be made to V.A. (Viv) Simmons Scholarship Fund or V.A.(Viv) & Neva Simmons Charitable Endowment Fund, 105 West Second Street, Suite 100, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.