Obituary of Edwin A. Simmons

Rev. Edwin A. Simmons of Springville died Saturday in the Golden Living Personal Care Home in Tunkhannock. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Susan Thrasher Simmons. He was born in Bainbridge, N.Y., on Oct. 8, 1938, son of the late Lester and Frances Smith Simmons. Before retirement, he served as pastor at many United Methodist churches in Northeast Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of Afton High School in Bainbridge and attended Hope College in Holland, Mich. He graduated from Parsons College, Fairfield, Iowa, in 1962, and Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, in 1967. Ed was well-known in the area for playing the piano and keyboard, and was challenged to bring his musical gift to the church. Over the years, he created a worship service called the Gospel in Jazz. The music in this worship service became the material for his CD "The Gospel in Jazz." Also surviving are three sons, Michael and wife, Jacqueline, Tunkhannock; Philip and wife, Danielle, Tunkhannock; and Benjamin and wife, Danielle Marie, Nicholson; a daughter, Stephanie and husband, Lewis Geyer, Longmont, Colo.; and seven grandchildren, Evan, Riley, Symantha, Jena, Drolma, Madeline and Grace. Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. from the Springville United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Greg Myers, the Rev. Jane Bensley and the Rev. Ralph Christianson officiating. Family and friends may call Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home Inc., 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. Interment will be in Lynn Cemetery, Springville.