John Darwin Sims, 87, of Cadet died April 18, 2014, at Potosi Manor in Potosi. Mr. Sims served in the Army during World War II and worked at Del Monte Foods in Rochelle, Ill., for 27 years. He retired and moved to Florida, then relocated to Jefferson County in 2000 after the death of his wife of 54 years, Pearl Elizabeth (Thompson) Sims. He was a longtime member of Rochelle Methodist Church and Potosi Methodist Church, and enjoyed working with his hands, doing automotive repair and woodworking. Born Nov. 17, 1926, in Fertile, Minn., he was the son of the late Elmer G. and Ernice (Copeland) Sims.
He is survived by five children: John C. (Cheryl) Sims of Toledo, Ohio; Elizabeth (Lynn Juliette) Sims Bennett of Cadet; Joy Wiltzius of De Kalb, Ill.; LuAnn (Jim) Jennings of Rockford, Ill.; and Shirley (Bill Brown) Volkert of Hillsboro; a daughter-in-law: Cindy (Isley) Sims of Rochelle, Ill.; two brothers: Ted (Marvel) Sims of Detroit Lakes, Minn., and Burnett (Norma) Sims of Clearbrook, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by five sisters: Helen Solberg, Doreen Romer, LaVonne Frette, Eileen Largis and Gayle Lerfald; two brothers: Pershing Sims and Curtis Sims; one son: Joseph L. Sims; and one grandson: Ernie D. Bennett.
Memorial services will be held May 10 in Rochelle, Ill. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.