Donald Howard Simon

January 7, 1930 ~ November 29, 2022
Donald Howard Simon, 92, of Princeton, Illinois, passed away November 29, 2022, at home. Don was born on January 7, 1930, in Princeton, Illinois, the son of Howard and Pearl (Dremann) Simon. He was a lifelong member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church and served on the Church Council. He was a 4-H member in his youth. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1947.
He served as a Master Sergeant in the Army during the Korean War from January 1952 to December 1953. Upon returning from Korea, Don was a skilled carpenter.
He married Nedda Jane Jefferson on June 12, 1955, at the Federated Church in Clayton, Illinois. He was a lifelong farmer on land owned by the Simon family for over a century and two additional farms in Dover and Princeton Townships. He raised cattle and hogs and was featured in Prairie Farmer Magazine as an Outstanding Young Farmer. He earned recognition from the Bureau County Pork Producers, the Princeton Junior Chamber of Commerce as an Outstanding Young Farmer, and as an Outstanding Jaycee for his contributions to the Princeton chapter and community. He was a Third Degree Mason.
Don served twelve years on the Bureau County Board from 1990 – 2002, voting by conscience and the issue, not by party. He served as Chairman of the Prairie View committee and Chairman of the Board of Review. He was also a former Dover Township supervisor. Don was active in the Republican party, including inviting Governor Jim Edgar to the Lincoln Day event. He was a former member of the Elks Club and Bureau Valley Country Club.
Don was a supporter of Freedom House for over 40 years of service in five counties to thousands of women, men, and children. He was honored along with Nedda, Freedom House founder, during the recent rededication of the Nelson Chapel as the Nedda J. and Donald H. Simon Conference Center.
Not only did Don travel to Korea and Japan, he and Nedda traveled extensively in the United States, Africa, England, Germany, France, Canada, Jamaica, Mexico, and the Cayman Islands. For years, he enjoyed being a snowbird in Treasure Island, Florida.
He will be remembered by his family for his quiet nature, faith, strong work ethic, guidance, and belief that “your dreams begin with you”.
He is survived by this wife, three daughters, Lori (Michael) Nelson of McHenry, Illinois, Connie (John) Angelo of Algonquin, Illinois, and Julie (Dennis) Grady of Princeton, Illinois, granddaughters Rachel (Greg) Nelson Hansen of Palatine, Illinois, Bree Angelo (Dan Kita) of Northbrook, Illinois, and grandson Nick (Erin) Angelo of Wheaton, Illinois and great grandsons Lucas, Jacob and Cameron Angelo.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church of Princeton at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Scott Schmidt officiating. The visitation will be one hour prior to the service. A private burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.grant-johnsonfh.com.
Memorials may be directed to Freedom House, St. Matthews, or donor’s choice.
One of the good ones to say the least. He was admired by all his neighbors & friends and will be missed in the community.