Phyllis June Simpson

Mattice. She passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at the Colonnade in O'Fallon, IL. She was 19 days short of her 97th birthday.

Phyllis’s dad was a mail carrier and farmer and her mother worked as a devoted homemaker. She lived in Middleburg until she was 18 years of age, riding her bike, active with the Girl Scouts, band (she played the clarinet) and enjoyed her life in a small town. When she left home at 18, she went to Mohonk resort to work with her best friend Betty for the summer. After the summer was over, she went to Bucknell University and Albany Business College (ABC). When WWII was still in progress, she graduated from ABC and took a train to Alameda, CA after joining the Navy as a WAVE. While in the Navy, she met and married a fellow "Swabbie", Norman Ward. They were married in 1946 in Oakland, CA. Norman left the Navy when the war was over and after a few years, he reenlisted in the Air Force. Together, they had four children: Cindy (Fred) Deese, Tom (Jan) Ward, Lindsay (Andrea) Ward and Martha (Russ) Wieman.

After living in Massachusetts, Japan, California, Nevada and O'Fallon, Illinois, Norman and Phyllis divorced in 1974. This was a really rough time for her but her daughter, Martha, introduced her to Warren Simpson. They were married for 19 years and had a life full of family, travel and love. Warren passed away in 1997, once again left her heartbroken, but she rallied again when she met George Rimmert, a former colleague from Scott AFB Hospital. She met him in McDonald's, her favorite breakfast place. They were together for 20 years until health issues separated them in 2021. They travelled and enjoyed each other’s company although they never married.

She was preceded in death by her Mom, Dad, and beloved brother, Hubert, who was an engineer and WWII bomber pilot.

She is survived by her 4 children, 11 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson and 2 nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to The Colonnade Care Partners and Nurses. Additional condolences may be sent to the family at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

A visitation for Phyllis will be held on Friday, May 27, 2022 from 11:00 A.M.- 12:00 P.M. at Lake View Funeral Home in Fairview Heights, IL.

A memorial service will be held immediately following the visitation, at 12:00 P.M. at the funeral home with Pastor Darren McCormick officiating.