Our Dad, Charles E. Simmons, died on Saturday night, March 6, 2010 after a brief, rapid decline in health.

Dad was born in Gallitzen, PA on August 25, 1916. His parents were the late Samuel Sylvester and Mary Josephine Bradley Simmons. His sisters, Margaret Marie Kelch died in 1984 and Rhoda Mae Malsi died in1968.

A son of a coal miner, Dad moved to Altoona, PA in 1928. He graduated from Altoona High School, class of 1934. After working in the Pennsylvania Railroad car shops, he joined the Pennsylvania State Police and graduated from the State Police Academy, Myerstown in April 1938. The class was part of the recruitment project called the "Ninety-Day-Wonders." His first assignment took him to the last reunion of the Blue and Gray on the Fourth of July 1938 when the Peace Memorial was dedicated in Gettysburg. During his twenty-five year career as a State Trooper, Dad was stationed in Selingsgrove, Bedford, and Lancaster County. He retired April 15, 1963 as Corporal.

Dad came to Lancaster in March of 1941, but returned to Altoona on June 18, 1941 to marry Mary Margaret Reeder and brought her to Lancaster. Before Mom died in July 2008, Dad and Mom had celebrated sixty-seven years of marriage.

Retirement from the Pennsylvania State Police did not stop Dad's career in law enforcement. From April 1963 through August 1986, Dad was Chief County Detective for Lancaster County. When Dad became County Detective, the District Attorney's office consisted of the District Attorney, County Detective and a secretary.

He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, where he served many years ushering. He was a member of the Lions Club: the Fraternal Order of Police, the Lancaster County Law Enforcement Association, the Retired State Police Association and the American Association of State Police. He was a charter member and past president of the Robert Lapp Lodge, Post 66.

He is survived by three children: MaryAnn wife of Glenn E. Hess, Charles R. Simmons, Donald L. husband of Carol Ament Simmons. Dear to his heart were his grandchildren; Karen and Kenneth Milligan, Jennifer and George Bisignani, Kathryn and William Saltzer, Lisa and Jason Flood, C. Matthew Simmons, Scott Simmons and Justin Simmons and his great grandchildren: Zachary, Zane, Noah, Timothy, Logan, Abigail and Madeline.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 501 E. Orange Street, Lancaster, PA on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 11:00AM with Rev. Daniel Mitzel as Celebrant. Interment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park. Friends may pay their respects to the family at the church on Wednesday from 10-11:00AM. Please omit flowers. Contributions may be made in Charles's memory to Hospice of Lancaster County, P O Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604. Arrangements are by the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel. To send online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com