John Howard Simmons

John Howard Simmons 80 of Belmont, died Thursday, June 7, 2018 at his home. “What a revoltin’ development this is!” John’s mantra throughout the progression of an insidious bladder cancer that took his life. John, the son of John H W and Lillian T (Pierson) Simmons, was born in Grand Rapids. He grew up on the family farm near Cedar Springs, Michigan and attended a one room school until the 8th grade when he went into the Cedar Springs School System. He graduated from Cedar Springs High School in 1956. Deciding on Michigan State University, John graduated in 1961 with a BA. Naturally, he was a lifelong Spartan fan. John’s working life was spent in the insurance industry with the Travelers in Detroit and the Hartford in Grand Rapids, retiring in 1997. John was an exceptionally decent, kind human being. He felt that humor was a great moderator and never out of place. His passions were family, friends, reading, and travel. He had a quick mind that could easily recall poetry, histories, and favorite stories. John was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Ethel B Tagg Siegel and Alvan O Tagg. He is survived by Janet (Jan) Tagg Simmons his wife of 58 years, his sons and their wives, John A and Jacqueline, Robert M and Peggy Horan, his grandchildren, John S, Mary M, and Henry T. John is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law William L and Sandra. He will be missed by much-loved nieces, nephew, cousins and friends. We, his family, want to thank all of John’s caregivers. John’s cremains will be interred in Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. A No Tie Celebration of John’s Life for family and friends will be at Meijer Gardens at 1:00 on June 22, 2018. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hope Lodge Grand Rapids, 129 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.