Melvin J. Simmons, 74, of Eau Claire died Sunday, September 12, 2004, at Luther Hospital. He was born March 30, 1930 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Margaret Miller.\r\nMelvin served in the US Army with the 511th Airborne during the occupation of Japan.\r\nMelvin married Bernice M. Dahlby on November 11, 1950, in Strum. After marriage, they resided in Eau Claire where they raised their eight children.\r\nHe worked as a tire builder at Uniroyal for 26 years until his retirement in 1977.\r\nMel loved his annual family fishing trips to Canada, gardening, auctions, and especially spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member and past commander of VFW Post #7232. Melvin and Bernice enjoyed attending reunions with the 511th Airborne Association.\r\nHe is survived by his eight children, Melvin Dale (Debbie), James (Cindy), Karen (Randy) McFadden, Sue Licht, and Jason Simmons all of Eau Claire, Bob (Vickie) of Elk Mound, Larry (Carrie) of Eleva, and Randy (Carolyn) of Boyd; 25 grandchildren, Travis (Teri), Courtney (Troy), Aaron, Autumn (Shawn), Lindsey (Israel), Stacy, Tara, Sam, Ben, Kelsey, Cody, Jennifer (Marty), Ashley, Heather, Jeremy, Samantha, Angie (Jesse) and Ryan (Kim); 10 great grandchildren, Shadow, Adam, Mickelle, Leighton, Caden, Deontae, Maddy, Belue, Damien and Madison; his brother, Ceylon (Joan) Simmons of Chippewa Falls; a special aunt, Cleora Larson of Rice Lake; two sisters-in-law, Doris Allemann of Mondovi and Lois Dahlby of Eau Claire; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his mother; and his wife, Bernice in 2003.\r\nFuneral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 16, 2004, at First Lutheran Church with Rev. Dr. Duane C. Pederson officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery where VFW Post #305 will conduct military rites. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, family requests memorials be directed to Luther Dialysis Dept., 5th Floor, Luther Hospital, 1221 Whipple St., Eau Claire, WI 54703.\r\n

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