Michael A. “Hiko” Simmons left this earth on June 27, 2024, to join his daughter Jessica in heaven. A funeral service will be held at 7 PM on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at the Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena, where friends may call after 4 PM until the time of service. A celebration of life will follow on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Rec Park from Noon to 5 PM. Mike was born January 7, 1962, in Dubuque, IA, the son of Catherine “Rose” Zeal and Ralph “Hiko” Simmons. He graduated from Galena High School in 1980. He started his lifelong working career for Leo Oldenburg in 1978 at Leo’s Super Value. He worked for Ron Sproule Oil Company for 18 years and operated his own lawn care and snowplowing business for 18 years. He was employed by the City of Galena as the Fire Chief and Fire Inspector from 2003 to 2013. Mike sold the business in 2013 to pursue a Fire Science degree from Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta, IA. The hard work of receiving the degree paid off when he was hired as a building inspector for the City of Marshall, MN. He then moved to Rochester, MN, in 2015, where he was hired as a building inspector. He remained there for six years until 2021 before returning to Galena to be closer to his family. Mike was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer along with lymphoma in 2018. He fought a long and hard battle for the last six years. Many considered him a workaholic but did so to support his family. He enjoyed working, gardening, motorcycle rides, hunting, fishing, and a cold beer or a Captain and Coke with family and friends. He enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers and attended many games with friends. He was an avid tickler to his grandchildren. He was an active member of the Galena Fire Department for 30 years and a social member for 11 years. He also served as a member of the Illinois Fire Association Board for 13 years and, most recently, was the Emergency Management Coordinator for Jo Daviess County for almost three years. He was a member of the Galena Jaycees and the Galena Elks Lodge. He coached his kids through AYSO soccer for many years and the Galena High School soccer team for two years. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He married Connie Copeland on October 6, 1984, and they had three beautiful children together: Emily, Nathan, and Jessica. Connie and Mike spent most of their time caring for their angel Jessica to meet her needs. Jessica was called to be with God on May 4, 1994. On August 22, 2009, he married Sue (Neuhaus) Simmons and added to his family a daughter, Amanda, and a son, Travis. He is survived by his wife Sue, along with daughters Emily (fiancé, Noah Ottenhausen) and Amanda (Joe Link), sons Nathan (fiancée, Paige Scharpf) and Travis (Brittany) Coffman. Eleven grandchildren – Nevaeh, Ella, and Noelle Ottenhausen; Jackson, Nolan, and Kaden Link; Weston and Natalie Coffman; and Ridley, Brayson, and Rylan Simmons along with a sister, Margo Dworak, brother, Tim Simmons (Lori) and brother-in-law Mike McClain. In-laws are Sue’s mother and father, Don and Eunice Neuhaus; Sue’s brothers – Dan, Mark, Tim, and Paul- and Sue’s sister, Penny (Ted McLaughlin). He was preceded in death by his daughter Jessica, his parents, his sister Tania McClain, his brother-in-law Jim Neuhaus, and an angel grandchild –Aurora Coffman. Instead of flowers, donations may be sent to the Mayo Clinic Oncology Department in Rochester, MN, or the Mike Simmons Fire Service Training Fund set up at Apple River State Bank.
Michael A. “Hiko” Simmons
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Simmons families. We loved Hiko, and always enjoyed a good visit and some laughs. We know he is at peace after the long fight he valiantly fought the last several years. We hope in time, you can cherish the wonderful memories you have all had as a family. He will be greatly missed by many.
Sending love and peace,
Susie (Murphy) and Michael Roth
So sorry for the loss to his family.
So sorry for your loss Sue,prayers and hugs are sent you and your family
The Lord has gained a special soul. Even through his own struggles, he just wanted to help others and that’s what he did. Thank you Mike for being a wonderful human
I worked with Mike at the County. I am so terribly sorry for your loss – he was a great man and I always admired his strength. If you were having a bad day, he would always put a smile on your face. My condolences.
so very sorry Sue for you and your family.
so sorry Sue for you and all your family
Condolences to Mike’s family.
RIP Hilo. Our sympathy to his family
Rest in peace, Hiko. You were an inspiration to many through your hard work, commitment to family and community. Sending love to your beautiful family.
To the family of Mr. Mike Simmons. You all have my very deepest sympathy.
Sincerely sorry for your loss I enjoyed many many years of friendship with Mike and he will be missed. Condolences
So very sorry about the news of losing Mike.I realy enjoyed Mike every time I spent time with him, The first time we met and tallked I felt like I’d known him for years!
Very sad to find this out. Rest easy Hiko…
Dear Sue, I was sorry to learn of Mike’s passing. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Pam
Sending our prayers and condolences your way, with a contribution to the Mike Simmons Fire Service Training Fund.
From,
The Rowland Family
Dear Sue, I am so very sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences. Pam
RIP Hiko glad to have known ya
Our most sincere condolences to Sue and the rest of Hiko’s family. He was one heck of a guy and will be remembered for so many contributions to his community.
There is no doubt that Mike lit up a room wherever he found himself. Hopefully, they have sunglasses in heaven for his arrival. Us Earthlings can expect the sky to shimmer bluer and the sun shine brighter, thanks to Mike. He will be greatly missed by all.
To Mike’s Family – I am so sorry for your loss. I know all too well the ups and downs, doctors visits, hospital stays, hopeful times and devastating news times that your family has been through. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the days and weeks ahead. Mike always had a “hi” and a smile. He was good for Galena and will be missed. Take care – your memories will help you.
Connie Wienen
So sorry for you loss Sue and family. My God’s peace be with you.
Sorry I was unable to attend services. So sorry for your loss.