Obituaries
Richard J. Simon
March 20, 2021
Richard J Simon, age 82, of Norwalk, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, March 20, 2021 at his residence.
He was born November 13, 1938 in Lorain, OH to the late John and Florence (Smith) Simon. He attended most of his school years in Amherst, and served in the US Navy for four years including two years in active and two years in the reserves. He worked for Palmer Donavin Co. in Lima as an outside HVAC Sales Representative. He received many sales awards and was instrumental in setting up its HVAC division at Apollo Vocational School and HVAC division at Northwestern Community College in Lima. He finished his career as President and part-owner of Lima Supply. During his retirement he delivered medications for Kroger’s. It was a ministry to him witnessing to them about his faith.
Richard lived in Norwalk for 25 years, where he attended the First Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon and Elder for many years. The rest of the time he lived in Findlay. He was a 25-year Member of the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union 42. In 1982 he enrolled at Lakeland Community College perusing a degree in Sales and Marketing. Richard and Joan started the “Help your neighbor” program at their church and it continues today. He also attended Norcrest Presbyterian Church and Gateway Evangelical Presbyterian, where he also served as an Elder and on its Building Committee; and he and Joan also taught a newlywed class. He was a talented woodcarver until he was physically unable to do it, and his latest hobby was photography and he enjoyed sunrises, sunsets and eagles. He enjoyed time spent with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, but never caught a lot of fish, but was okay because he always had a good time talking with the Lord. He said fishing was always good, but it was the catching that was bad. When he went fishing he always said, “I am going to drown some worms.”
He married Joan (Chapin) Simon on March 18, 1961 and she resides in Norwalk; also survived by his daughters, Linda (Joe) Marks of Norwalk and Lori (Mark) Fabian of Strongsville; sons, Michael (Lisa) Simon of Norwalk and Matthew Simon of Savannah, GA; nine grandchildren, Adam (Nicole) Koubek of Allen, TX, Lauren Ruiz of Norwalk, Abigayle and Adrianna Simon of Savannah, GA, Nicholas Fabian of Cleveland, Alyssa and Morgan Fabian of Strongsville, Brianna Marks of North Olmstead and Brittany Marks of Elyria; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Judith (Frank) Bowers of Vermilion.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Betty Lou in infancy; and in-laws, Raymond and Mable Chapin.
Friends may call on Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 4:00- 7:00 P.M. at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A private family service will be held Friday with burial at Olena Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Women’s Resource Center of Hancock County, 1011 N. Main Street, Findlay, OH 45840, Mission Possible, 306 W. Bigelow Avenue, Findlay, OH 45840 or Findlay Area Youth for Christ, 10111 US Route 224, Findlay, OH 45840.
Richard J. Simon
03/20/2021
Richard J Simon, age 82, of Norwalk, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, March 20, 2021 at his residence.
He was born November 13, 1938 in Lorain, OH to the late John and Florence (Smith) Simon. He attended most of his school years in Amherst, and served in the US Navy for four years including two years in active and two years in the reserves. He worked for Palmer Donavin Co. in Lima as an outside HVAC Sales Representative. He received many sales awards and was instrumental in setting up its HVAC division at Apollo Vocational School and HVAC division at Northwestern Community College in Lima. He finished his career as President and part-owner of Lima Supply. During his retirement he delivered medications for Kroger’s. It was a ministry to him witnessing to them about his faith.
Richard lived in Norwalk for 25 years, where he attended the First Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon and Elder for many years. The rest of the time he lived in Findlay. He was a 25-year Member of the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union 42. In 1982 he enrolled at Lakeland Community College perusing a degree in Sales and Marketing. Richard and Joan started the “Help your neighbor” program at their church and it continues today. He also attended Norcrest Presbyterian Church and Gateway Evangelical Presbyterian, where he also served as an Elder and on its Building Committee; and he and Joan also taught a newlywed class. He was a talented woodcarver until he was physically unable to do it, and his latest hobby was photography and he enjoyed sunrises, sunsets and eagles. He enjoyed time spent with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, but never caught a lot of fish, but was okay because he always had a good time talking with the Lord. He said fishing was always good, but it was the catching that was bad. When he went fishing he always said, “I am going to drown some worms.”
He married Joan (Chapin) Simon on March 18, 1961 and she resides in Norwalk; also survived by his daughters, Linda (Joe) Marks of Norwalk and Lori (Mark) Fabian of Strongsville; sons, Michael (Lisa) Simon of Norwalk and Matthew Simon of Savannah, GA; nine grandchildren, Adam (Nicole) Koubek of Allen, TX, Lauren Ruiz of Norwalk, Abigayle and Adrianna Simon of Savannah, GA, Nicholas Fabian of Cleveland, Alyssa and Morgan Fabian of Strongsville, Brianna Marks of North Olmstead and Brittany Marks of Elyria; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Judith (Frank) Bowers of Vermilion.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Betty Lou in infancy; and in-laws, Raymond and Mable Chapin.
Friends may call on Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 4:00- 7:00 P.M. at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A private family service will be held Friday with burial at Olena Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Women’s Resource Center of Hancock County, 1011 N. Main Street, Findlay, OH 45840, Mission Possible, 306 W. Bigelow Avenue, Findlay, OH 45840 or Findlay Area Youth for Christ, 10111 US Route 224, Findlay, OH 45840.