Katy Simonds' Obituary
Emma Kathryn (Katy) Becker Simonds, 100, died on January 30, 2014 at her home at New Thompson Lake, Carbondale.
Katy was born in Steeleville, Illinois, on August 5, 1913, the daughter of Edward Peter Becker and Sadie Williamson Becker. She grew up in Sparta, Illinois where her family moved when she was 8 years old. After her graduation from Sparta High School, Katy worked for Waterloo Milk Company and later as the librarian and secretary at Sparta High School.
On August 14, 1937, Katy married Eugene T. (Gene) Simonds in Sparta. Gene's work for the Illinois Department of Transportation, attending the University of Illinois, and service in the Army Air Forces during World War II took them to various locations during the early years of their marriage. In 1946, the couple founded E.T.Simonds Construction Company in Carbondale where they then made their home. Katy worked as the company's bookkeeper for many years and served on its board of directors until 2003.
Katy and Gene had four children: Gayl (Dick) Pyatt, of Pinckneyville, Kassy (Joe) Gareis and Millie (Brian) McElheny, of Carbondale, and Bill (Meg) Simonds of Cobden; six grandchildren: Will Pyatt, Jon Pyatt, Beck (Heather) Simonds, Kate (Brent) Stevens, Kathryn McElheny, and Cam McElheny; and 5 great-grandchildren: Emma Kathryn Pyatt, Madge Stevens, Anne Marie Simonds, Margo Jean Simonds, and Gus Stevens. Gene Simonds died May 12, 1989. Katy's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all survive her.
Katy was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her sister Alta Gayl Waldron, her infant brother Edward Paul Becker, and brothers and sisters-in-law Bill Waldron, Walter and Ethel Simonds, Kenneth and Josephine Simonds, Elva and Harvey McIntyre, Willard Simonds, Frank Simonds, Robert and Edie Simonds, and Joe Bates. She is survived by her sisters-in-law Bobbi Simonds and Millie Bates and by many nieces and nephews.
A lifelong Presbyterian, Katy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cobden, Illinois. She was a Charter Member of Chapter KZ, P.E.O, and she belonged to the Carbondale Women's Club, the SIU Foundation Board of Directors, the University of Illinois President's Council, and the Carbondale Memorial Hospital Board of Directors. Active in many other local organizations, Katy enjoyed being engaged in causes that benefited the Carbondale community. She co-chaired a week long chautauqua in Evergreen Park in Carbondale in l996 and she chaired a $1 Million fundraising campaign for an intensive care unit at Carbondale's hospital. She was a fan of SIU athletics and an excellent bridge player. Katy enjoyed hunting and traveling with her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, lived her 100 years to the fullest, and was an inspiration to her family.
The Simonds family is grateful for the loving care she received from Susan Broski and Kristie Menees for the past 10 years and from the VNA TIP Hospice during the recent weeks.
A private memorial service will be held. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Cobden, 103 North Jefferson Street, Cobden, Il 62920, or to VNA TIP Hospice, 702 Chestnut Street, Murphysboro, IL 62966.
Pyatt Funeral Home in Pinckneyville is in charge of arrangements.
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