- Born on: May 25, 1942
- Departed on: April 17, 2026
- Resided in: Cedar Rapids, IA
Joseph M. Simmons
It is with profound sadness that the Joseph M Simmons family announces his passing on April 17, 2026, at the age of 83. Joe passed away peacefully at Mercy Hospice in Hiawatha, Iowa, surrounded by loved ones.
Joe Simmons was born in Monticello, Iowa, and will be remembered as a hardworking, sharp-witted, and devoted man who lived life his own way. From an early age, he valued hard work, helping on the family farm, working at the local supermarket, and delivering newspapers. Later, he farmed alongside his brother, Leo Simmons, for many years and, after Leo’s passing, he continued farming with his nephews, Mike and Mitch Simmons.
Junie was a loving son who cared faithfully for his mother, Helen Simmons, and his father, Joseph, in their later years. He was also blessed to reconnect with his teenage sweetheart, Claudia Havlicek, who became his beloved life partner.
He enjoyed life’s simple pleasures — family, fishing, a good bargain, the Jones County Fair, Friday trips to the casino for crab legs and catfish dinner, watching his nieces & nephews at their sporting events & bringing treats home to his beloved dog, Piper. He will be remembered for his humor, loyalty, love of family, and the joy he brought to those who knew him. He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed by many.
He is survived by, the love of his life Claudia; his beloved sister, Michele (Lance) Rubin; His niece & nephews: Mike (Kelly) Simmons, Mitch (Jenna) Simmons, Mark (Lynette) Simmons, Jessica Rubin (Laine), Bianca Rubin (Dustin) and his great nieces & nephews: Nicole (Jacob) Hartwig, Cody (Santana) Simmons, Kayla Simmons, Zach Simmons, Layne & Luke Hearne, Lakelyn & Leo Rubin. Claudia’s children: Julie Knuppe (Brian), Andrea Schminky (Chad) & grandchildren Mattie Knuppe, Ashley Bunten(Carter) and Derrick (Jayce) Bunten, Cody (Kielie) Schminky, and Shayna(AJ) Morrison, Macklyn & Haylen Morrison.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Helen (Prull) Simmons of Monticello, and his brother & sister-in-law, Leo and Shirley Simmons.
A memorial service will be held at 10 am on May 1st, 2026, at Sacred Heart Church in Monticello, Iowa. Followed by burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Prairieburg, Iowa.
Joe Simmons was born in Monticello, Iowa, and will be remembered as a hardworking, sharp-witted, and devoted man who lived life his own way. From an early age, he valued hard work, helping on the family farm, working at the local supermarket, and delivering newspapers. Later, he farmed alongside his brother, Leo Simmons, for many years and, after Leo’s passing, he continued farming with his nephews, Mike and Mitch Simmons.
Junie was a loving son who cared faithfully for his mother, Helen Simmons, and his father, Joseph, in their later years. He was also blessed to reconnect with his teenage sweetheart, Claudia Havlicek, who became his beloved life partner.
He enjoyed life’s simple pleasures — family, fishing, a good bargain, the Jones County Fair, Friday trips to the casino for crab legs and catfish dinner, watching his nieces & nephews at their sporting events & bringing treats home to his beloved dog, Piper. He will be remembered for his humor, loyalty, love of family, and the joy he brought to those who knew him. He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed by many.
He is survived by, the love of his life Claudia; his beloved sister, Michele (Lance) Rubin; His niece & nephews: Mike (Kelly) Simmons, Mitch (Jenna) Simmons, Mark (Lynette) Simmons, Jessica Rubin (Laine), Bianca Rubin (Dustin) and his great nieces & nephews: Nicole (Jacob) Hartwig, Cody (Santana) Simmons, Kayla Simmons, Zach Simmons, Layne & Luke Hearne, Lakelyn & Leo Rubin. Claudia’s children: Julie Knuppe (Brian), Andrea Schminky (Chad) & grandchildren Mattie Knuppe, Ashley Bunten(Carter) and Derrick (Jayce) Bunten, Cody (Kielie) Schminky, and Shayna(AJ) Morrison, Macklyn & Haylen Morrison.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Helen (Prull) Simmons of Monticello, and his brother & sister-in-law, Leo and Shirley Simmons.
A memorial service will be held at 10 am on May 1st, 2026, at Sacred Heart Church in Monticello, Iowa. Followed by burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Prairieburg, Iowa.
