Ron Simpkins

Murphysboro - Ron Simpkins, also known as “Poppy”, 73, passed away at 11:30 A.M. Monday, September 3rd, 2018, in Carbondale Memorial Hospital with all of his family by his side.



Ron was born November 26th, 1944 to Kenneth and Mae (Martin) Simpkins.



Ron graduated from Murphysboro Township High School and then attended University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.



Ron married Glenda Winget on January 8th, 1965 in Desoto, Illinois and they shared 53 years of marriage.



Ron worked for many years at Consolidated Coal Company, Burning Star #5 as a drill operator and mechanic. He eventually retired as a hydraulic mechanic from Egyptian Electric Co-Op in Murphysboro in 2009.



Ron was an avid outdoorsman, loving to hunt and fish. He was a member of the Southern Illinois Bass Club, Kinkaid Bass Club and fished in the early days of the Ambassador Trail. Ron loved sharing his knowledge and passion for the outdoors with the younger generation, including teaching his four granddaughters how to fish. He considered it an honor that he got to go fishing with his great grandchildren as well. He and Glenda enjoyed camping and having his family around a campfire, frying fish, and making s'mores. Ron also enjoyed having his family around the table at Christmas for a competitive game of Spoons. Time spent with his family was what Ron cherished more than anything. He personally created and assigned each member of his family a special number, himself being number one, Glenda being number two, then ranked by birth order followed by marriage into the family. This number system will forever be a treasured tradition for his family.



Ron is survived by his wife, Glenda Simpkins of Murphysboro; two daughters, Lisa (Shawn) Stearns of Murphysboro, and Leann (Barry) Biggerstaff of Carbondale; and four granddaughters, Stephanie (Bill) Gladson of Carterville, Emily (Charlie) Eisert of Pomona, Hilary Drone (Colin Chandler) of Carbondale, and Molly Stearns of Murphysboro; five great grandchildren, Paisley and Guthrie Eisert of Pomona; Abner, Olin, and Elliot (due in December) Gladson of Carterville. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Joyce Winget of Murphysboro, and one brother, Rick Simpkins of Mt. Carmel, and cousins, nieces, nephews and many special friends.



Ron was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Larry Simpkins; his father-in-law, Glenn Winget and his grandparents, Harvey and Ruie Simpkins and Anderson and Rose (Long) Martin.



Services will be at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, September 6, 2018 at Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale, with the Reverend Charlie Allen officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Carterville. Visitation will be from 11 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.



The family would like to thank Dr. Kurt Martin and Dr. Raymund Pineda, the nurses and staff at Carbondale Memorial Hospital, Residential Home Health Care staff, and the staff at SIH Cardio Rehab for providing such great care and compassion to Ron and his family while he was ill.



Memorials may be made to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Special Care Nursery or St. Jude Children's Hospital. Memorial donations will be accepted at the funeral home.



To share a memory or story of Ron please visit, www.meredithfh.com