It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Russel Wayne Simon, a 2010 MITA Honorary Member. He was 90 years old.
Wayne was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Etta Mooney Simon and Galen R. Simon. He graduated from Ft. Wayne Northside High School, where he played basketball and ran track.
Wayne proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1949-1952. After graduating from Indiana University in 1956, he worked for Ford Motor Company and Miles Laboratories before moving to Grand Rapids, MI in 1966 to become an owner and President of Wolverine Tractor & Equipment Company. He then spent many happy retirement years as a resident of Naples, FL, where he lived at the Wilderness Country Club.
Although Wayne was an avid golfer and basketball fan, particularly of his beloved Hoosiers, nothing was more important to him than his family. The much loved “Grampsman” will be missed by his grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters, all of whom meant the world to him.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lyndal Reed Simon; children Cynthia Simon Vaughn (Jonathan), Eric Reed Simon (Susan), and Karen Simon Budde (Mark); brother DeVon Allen Simon, sister-in-law Carol Simon and nephew Michael Simon; grandchildren Laura Vaughn, Michael Vaughn (Anne), Jeffrey Vaughn, Thomas Simon (Hannah), Scott Simon, Emily Budde and Matthew Budde; and great-grandchildren Emma Lynn Vaughn and Rennie Reed Simon.
A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for Friday, February 21, 2020 at 3:00 pm at the Naples United Church of Christ, 5200 Crayton Road, Naples, FL.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.
MITA wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the entire Simon family, as well as to all of the friends and colleagues Wayne knew throughout his life, during this difficult time.
