Paul H. Simmer

Paul H. Simmer December 26, 1931 July 10, 2015 Paul Simmer, 83, of Beal City passed away Friday, July 10, 2015 at home surrounded by his family and friends. A Funeral Mass for Paul will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 14, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Beal City with Father Ricky Varner presiding. Burial will be in Two Rivers Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Monday from 4-9 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 5:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Tuesday one hour prior to the Mass. Being that Paul was a longtime supporter of St. Joseph School the family asks that Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph the Worker School. Envelopes will be available at the church or at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home. Paul was born December 26, 1931 in Beal City, son of the late Henry and Helen (Wagner) Simmer. He graduated from Beal City High School in 1950 and married Rosemarie Rosie Lorenz on August 21, 1954 at St. Philomena Church in Beal City. They were classmates since 1st grade and graduated together. They started dating in high school. As a young adult Paul always worked on a farm. After graduating he worked for REO manufacturing army trucks for 1 ½ years. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1952 during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1954. During his time in the military he drove a supply truck. Upon his return he worked three years for Frank Stevens Welding as a truck driver. In 1957 he began working in maintenance for the state home, retiring in 1984. Paul and his wife enjoyed traveling. They visited 47 states, Europe (visiting seven countries) and Taiwan. He also visited Alaska, Mexico, and Indonesia. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching football and thoroughly playing euchre. He was a member of the St. Joseph the Worker Parish, a life member of the Knights of Columbus #3651, and a life member of the VFW in Weidman. Paul is survived by five children, Paul (Jodi) Simmer of Traverse City, Linley (Stephen) York of New Mexico, Lois Shaver of Midland, Lisa (Lyndon) Steinmetz of Montana, and Lori (Roger) Milam of California; 16 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth Cook of Remus; brother, Ray (Marie) Simmer of Essexville; several nieces and nephews, his long term friend Marjie Evans, and countless deer friends (including the inner circle of farming, hunting, and fishing buddies). He is preceded in death by his wife, Rosie in 2001; and two sisters, Doris Hedley and Rose Kranz.