Juanita June Simpson

Born in Champaign, Illinois on June 13, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Estella (Stevens) Klemick. She was a graduate of Champaign High School. She married her childhood sweetheart, Robert E. (Bob) Simpson, on April 4, 1944 in Lakehurst, New Jersey where he was training as a Naval Aviator in World War II.

After the war, Juanita was responsible for raising a growing family while Bob pursued a career in sales. His job took the family from Illinois to Ohio, Michigan, Georgia and Texas before settling in Ohio where Bob founded MFM Building Products in Coshocton. Juanita enjoyed Standardbred horse racing and for many years she and Bob operated Shawneewood Farms, located in Knox County, Ohio, a horse breeding farm that also raced Standardbred (Harness) horses.

Juanita strongly believed in philanthropy and served on the board of the Simpson Family Foundation. She and Bob endowed the Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Dean of Libraries at the University of Illinois.

Juanita and Bob were married for 66 years when he preceded her in death. Her son, Richard Simpson, and brother, Herman M. Klemick, also preceded her in death.

She is survived by three sons, Robert (Carolyn), John (Rebecca), and Wesley (Ann); daughter-in-law, Karen Simpson; six grandchildren, Kristen, Alexandra, Susan, Scott, Emily and Jennifer.

A gathering of family, friends, and neighbors will be held on Monday, September 7, 2015, from 5-7pm at Given-Dawson Funeral Home, 186 Park Ave. Coshocton, Ohio. A private family entombment will take place at a later date in Champaign, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army, 219 N 4 St., Coshocton, OH 43812 or to a charity of the donor's choice.