Mercer County PAGenWeb

Mercer County Obituaries

Ralph Roscoe "Sport" Simons

8 Aug 1889 - 24 Sep 1970


Ralph Roscoe (Sport) Simons, 81, of Clark's Mills, former member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, Mercer County commissioner and county Republican chairman, died Thursday evening, Sept. 24, 1970, at Greenville Hospital. He had been a patient at the hospital five days, following a lingering illness.

A son of William H. and Eva Turner Simons, he was born Aug. 8, 1889, at Clark's Mills. On July 6, 1916, he was married to the former Helen Maxwell.

Mr. Simons was a 1908 graduate of Fredonia Institute and a 1912 graduate of Grove City College. He was very active in athletics at the college, and after graduation in professional baseball. He later returned to the college as coach.

He was associated with his father in the lumber business and the general store at Clark's Mills.
Mr. Simons was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature from 1938 to 1942, was a Mercer County commissioner from 1943 to 1952, and served as Mercer County Republican chairman from 1944 to 1950.

A member of Sandy Lake Lodge 434, Free and Accepted Masons, he also was a 32nd degree member of the Scottish Rite, New Castle and Zem Zem Shrine, Erie.

Mr. Simons was a member of Clark's Mills United Methodist Church.

Surviving in addition to his widow are one son, Robert Simons, Cincinnati O.; one daughter, Nancy, wife of Dr. Gilbert Diehl, Greenville, on sister, Miss Mabel Simons, Greenville, and six grandchildren. A brother, Malcolm Simons, preceded him in death.


Submitted by Susannah Lewis


Return to Obituary Index Page

Return to Home Page