Joseph Peter Simons passed away on Sunday December 28, 2008 at St. Paul's Villa, Kaukauna. Joe was born in Little Chute on August 22, 1927 to the late Frank and Antonia (Van Boekel) Simons. His family first lived in Little Chute after moving from Reek, Holland and they eventually moved to west DePere, where they owned and operated a farm. Joseph married Kathryn A. VanDenBerg, from Vans Valley, on May 7, 1949 at Immaculate Conception Church. Joe lived in Freedom for 59 years and very recently became a resident of St. Paul's Villa, Kaukauna. Joe has been an active member of Immaculate Conception Church for 70 years. He was a member of the Thompson Center Singers in Appleton for more than 10 years and a former member of the Elks Club in Green Bay. Joe loved to sing and dance to the big band music of Glenn Miller. Another great source of pride and enjoyment was his cottage on Moshawquit Lake where he greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Joe served in the navy on air craft carrier U.S.S. Philippine Sea during the Cold War years of 1945-1948. He enjoyed reminiscing about his travels around Africa and Europe. Joe retired from Fox River Paper Company in 1992 as a Quality Assurance Supervisor. Joe is survived by his five children: Keith Simons (Sherry), Kris Binish (Tom), Joni Conrad, Kim Simons and Kari Lynn Simons. He is further survived by eight grandchildren: Brad Weyenberg (Shelly), Kevin Weyenberg, Shane Simons (Lori), Lance Simons (Teri), Tony Conrad (Lillie), David Conrad (Jessi), Ben Simons and Kathryn Simons. He is further survived by brother George Simons (Irene), DePere, sister Nellie Shillcox, Kaukauna, sister Grace Huss (Vincent), Appleton and brother-in-law, Jim Hodkiewicz, Seymour. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn (Katie) Simons, parents, Frank and Antonia Simons, sister Marie Hodkiewicz, brother-in-law Grant Shillcox, and grandson, Ryan (Julio) Weyenberg. Joe is further survived by great-grandchildren, Haylie and Aiden Weyenberg, Zachary Taylor, Cole Greiesbach, Wyatt Simons, Tyler, Riley and Reed Simons, Natalie and Garrett Conrad and Henry Conrad. Joe is further survived by special friends Phyllis Collins, Ruth Fritz, and life long friend and neighbor Robert (Bob) Geurts. Visitation for Joe will be Thursday, January 1, 2009 at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 305 N. Tenth St, De Pere from 4:00 to 8:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Friday, January 2, 2009 at Immaculate Conception Parish, Oneida from 10:00 AM until Mass time. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM at church with Fr. David Koch presiding. Burial with Military Rites will follow in church cemetery. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the Simons family Dad, we'll miss your calls, hugs, and your parting words each time of 'love you bye'. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established.