Robert "Bob" Simonin 1933 - 2008

SIMONIN, CORZINE, WILLER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 5/22/2013 at 21:41:57

Sioux City Journal
28 October 2008

SIOUX CITY -- Robert "Bob" Simonin, 74, of Clarion, Iowa, formerly of Sioux City, passed away Oct. 26, 2008, at his residence.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Clarion, with the Rev. Dom Morrison officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. today at Ewing Funeral Home in Clarion. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.

Memorial services will be 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Morningside Presbyterian Church in Sioux City.

Robert "Bob" Simonin was born on a farm south of Wayne, Neb., on Nov. 10, 1933, the son of Walter J. and Lois Faye (Corzine) Simonin. In 1945, the family moved into Wayne and he finished elementary and high school at Hahn School, graduating in 1951 and on to Wayne State College. In 1953, he entered the U.S. Air Force for four years. When he returned, he finished his undergraduate degree, then received his master's degree in 1963.

He married Ruth Willer in June 1960. To this marriage three children were born, Michele, Steven and Amy. In 1959, he started his teaching career at Elk Horn and Kimballton Community Schools. Following that, he taught in Danbury, Iowa until 1963. In 1963, the family relocated to Sioux City, where he taught driver's education at East High School for 33 years.

He retired from teaching in 1996 and the couple were able to enjoy various trips across the country. Ruth passed away in 2002, after 42 years of marriage. In 2003, he moved to Clarion to be closer to family. In Clarion, he worked for Security Bank as a courier, for Clarion Health and Fitness as a fitness tech and volunteered extensively at Wright Medical Center and Clarion United Methodist Church.

He was a member of Clarion Lion's Club and the Clarion United Methodist Church. Many people got to know him in his short stay in Clarion and considered him to be a good friend. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with family and friends. He was an avid sports fan and during his teaching years, he served on the football chain gang for the sophomore football team at Sioux City East High School. He enjoyed trips with his son, Steve, to Washington, D.C. and Alaska.

He is survived by his three children, Michele and Rob Koerner, Steve Simonin and Amy Simonin and Marla Mashek; four grandchildren, Tim Chwirka, Jenn Chwirka, David Koerner and Eric Koerner; a brother, Joe Simonin of Endicott, N.Y.; and sisters, Lois Shulteis of Wayne, Neb., and Carol Watson of Persia, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother; and his wife, Ruth.

Memorials for Bob are to go to Clarion United Methodist Church Men's Group