Simmons, Shirley A. 1928-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.

Shirley Ann Wheeler Simmons, 96, of St. Joseph, passed away June 29, 2025, after a short illness. She was born in St. Joseph on Dec. 29, 1928, to Paul and Ethyl Wheeler.

She lived in St. Joseph her entire life. She was a lifetime member of Ashland Avenue Methodist Church. Shirley attended Humboldt and Pickett schools, and graduated in 1946 from Central High School. After graduation she was employed at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and retired after 25 years working for the St. Joseph School District food service. She also volunteered at Patee Park Baptist Church for over 16 years.

She married the love of her life, Coy B. Simmons Jr., in 1947. They were married for 54 years before he passed away in 2002.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Vickie Ellis; and sister, Beverly Dietderich; and husband, Dick.

Survivors include daughter, Connie Kay Elder (Dallas); grandchildren, Staci Elder, Anna Teale (Adam), Nathan Elder; great-grandchildren, Kaia Teale Patton, Kason Teale; great-great-granddaughter, Marlow Patton; sister, Betty Kepley; nieces and nephews, Lori Boyer (Dan), Nichole Brahms Bruley and Rick Dietderich (Kelly), Cherie Arnone and family, and Jeff Kepley.

She was loved and will be missed by all.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Covenant, P.O. Box 588, Platte City, MO 64079. Their website is www.GracCov.com.

Memorial services will be Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.