Irvin Henry Simpsen, 82, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and brother passed away in Paris, Texas, on July 21, 2014. One of four children of Henry and Hazel Mae Simpsen, he was born in Colfax, IL. He was baptized into the Christian faith and celebrated his Confirmation at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Anchor, IL.
Irvin worked on the family farm until graduating in the last class at Anchor High School. His working career started with jobs as a cemetery superintendent, pin-setter at a bowling alley, and as a foreman at General Electric. He enlisted in the US Air Force and served as a flight engineer on the B-26 Marauder during his tour of duty in the Korean War. He completed his aviation education at Parks College of Aeronautical Technology in St. Louis, MO and worked as a mechanic for several airlines in Illinois, Iowa, and Texas.
He was married to Marjory May Brown for 48 years. In 1973 he moved his family to Paris, TX as owner of Holiday Mobile Homes Park and Sales. He loved travel and spending time with his family, and was happiest when he could combine the two. Summer weekends were shared with family and friends with cocktails and grilled steaks by the pool. He was preceded in death by his wife Marjory and by his granddaughter Heidi.
Irvin is survived by Sharon and Jay McKiever, Lisa and Wendell Hubbard, Bruce and Paige Simpsen, Carl and Rosmarie Chambers, Randy and Crystal Daniels, ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, brother Donald of Cazenovia, WI, brother Gerald of Bloomington, IL, and sister Mary Ellen Schoon of Bloomington, IL.
Friends are invited to join the family for visitation at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home in Paris, TX, on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 25, 2014, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Anchor, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to The Heimerdinger Foundation, 4004 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 223-B, Nashville, TN – www.heimerdingerfoundation.com.
Online condolences may be made at www.fry-gibbs.com
Merrell Boyd, 92, of Paris, passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Heritage House of Paris surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held in Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home chapel at 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 26, 2014 with Rev. James E. Barnes officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time on Saturday prior to the service. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park near Sulphur Springs. Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Boyd was born July 17, 1922 in Yantis, Texas, the son of Jacob P. and Lula M. Bevill Boyd. He enlisted in the US Army in 1942 and served proudly until 1944. After his honorable discharge, He attended Hardin College where he graduated with an associates degree in watch repair. He started a career in 1953 at B&W where he retired in 1983. During this time he had a career at Boyd’s Jewelry Store where he did watch repair until their closing. He was a proud member of First Baptist Church in Paris for nearly 60 years.
Mr. Boyd is survived by his wife, Virginia Boyd; daughter, Cynthia K. Powell and husband, Rhett; grandson, Austin Powell; and his sister, Francis Simmons. His loving extended family included Richard and Shay Persinger, Mickie and Bob Powers, and LuAnn and Verg Ables; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his six brothers and one sister.
Online condolences may be made to the Boyd family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.