John Whiton Simons

Pittsboro - The Rev. John Whiton Simons COL USA RET, 77, died at his home in Pittsboro, N.C. on Tuesday, December 30, 2008, after several years of declining health. John was born ineelrose, MA, the fifth of eight children, and moved to Virginia in 1938, when his father went on active duty with the U. S. Army. He attended school in Alexandria VA and Washington DC. He married Nancy Pyle oneecember 31, 1954. John graduated from Drury College, Springfield, Missouri, in 1955 and Bexley Hall, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, in 1959. Ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1959, he served St. Philip the Apostle Episcopal Church in Cleveland OH, Grace Episcopal Church in Willoughby OH, Trinity Episcopal Church, Columbus OH and Pershore Abbey, Pershore, Worcester, England. John enlisted for two years in the U. S. Army in 1952, was stationed ineermany, and moved to the Reserves for 5 years. Upon ordination, he joined the 107th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Ohio Army National Guard in Cleveland OH in 1960. He was Senior Regimental Chaplain during the Cleveland Hough area riots in 1968, Ohio truck strikes in 1970 and the student riots at Kent State. In 1986, John was appointed Ohio National Guard State Senior State Chaplain and moved to Columbus, OH until his retirement in 1991, working mainly in support of National Guard units deploying for Operationeesert Shield. After retiring from both the active ministry and National Guard in 1991, he and Nancy moved to England for a year, where he served as interregnum at Pershore Abbey, near Worcester. Returning to Pittsboro in 1992, he was told by the bishop that he wasn't old enough to retire, so he served St. John's Episcopal Church ineenderson NC for nee years and St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Pittsboro NC until his death. He was a member of the Chatham County Historical Association, Kiwanis, the Royal British Legion, the Retired Officers Association and the Military Chaplains Association, among others. He enjoyed politics, especially church politics, any kind of history, and helping persons ineeed, particularly the hungry through the local food bank, CORA. John is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children and their spouses, Richard Louise Simons, Karen Warren Gartner, Robert Kristen Cliffel Simons, Andy Cindy Simons; grandchildren, John Gartner, Margaret Simons, Amy Simons, James Gartner, Tyler Simons, Jack Cliffel Simons, Nell Cliffel Simons, Hunter Simons, and Conner Simons; sisters, Adah Stalneer of CT and Dorothy Gibson of Alexandria VA; and brothers, the Rev. Webster Simons of Edenton NC and the Rev. Harrison Simons and sister-in-law, Gene, of Oxford NC; and an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. A service will be held at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 204 W. Salisbury Street, Pittsboro NC 27312, at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 16, 2008. Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund of St. Bartholomew's. A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, 36200 Ridge Road, Willoughby OH 44094 on April 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Online memorials: www.griffinfuneral.com, Select obituaries. Arrangements are under the care of Griffin Funeral Service of Pittsboro.