Robert SIMONIN

SIMONIN, CORZINE, WILLER, KOERNER, MASHEK, CHWIRKA, SHULTEIS, WATSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/28/2008 at 16:24:24

October 27, 2008
Fort Dodge Messenger, IA

CLARION - Robert "Bob" Simonin, 74, of Clarion passed away Sunday, October 26, 2008 at his home in Clarion. Funeral services for Bob Simonin will be held Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 11a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Clarion with Pastor Dom Morrison officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 28, 2008 from 5 until 7 p.m. at Ewing Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street in Clarion. And will continue one hour before the service at the church

Robert "Bob" Simonin was born on a farm south of Wayne, Neb. on November 10, 1933. He was the son of Walter J. and Lois Faye (Corzine) Simonin. He passed away on October 26, 2008 at his home in Clarion. In 1945 the family moved into the town of Wayne, Neb. and Bob finished elementary and high school at Hahn School, graduating in 1951 and on to Wayne State College. In 1953, Bob entered the Air Force for four years. When he returned, he finished his undergraduate degree and then received his Master's Degree in 1963.

Bob married Ruth (Willer) Simonin in June of 1960. To this marriage three children were born; Michele, Steve, and Amy. In 1959, Bob started his teaching career at Elk Horn and Kimbellton Community Schools. Following that, he taught at Danbury until 1963. In 1993, the family relocated to Sioux City where Bob taught Driver's Education at East High School for thirty-three years. Bob retired from teaching in 1996 and he and Ruth were able to enjoy various trips across the country. Ruth passed away in 2002 after 42 years of marriage. In 2003 Bob moved to Clarion to be closer to family. In Clarion Bob 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 the Clarion Lion's group and the Clarion United Methodist men's group. Many people got to know Bob in his short stay at Clarion and considered him to be a good friend. Bob's greatest enjoyment was spending time with family and friends. He was avid sports fan, and during his teaching years, he served on the football chain gang for the sophomore football team at Sioux City's east High School. He enjoyed trips with son Steve to Washington, D.C. and to Alaska.

Bob is survived by his three children; Michele and Rob Koerner, Steve Simonin, Amy Simonin and Marlas Mashek and four grandchildren; Tim Chwirka, Jenn Chwirka, David Koerner and Eric Koerner. Bob is also survived by one brother, Joe Simonin of Endicott, N.Y. and sisters, Lois Shulteis of Wayne, Neb. and Carol Watson of Persia. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and wife, Ruth. Memorials for Bob are to go to Clarion United Methodist Church Men's group.