“Babe” Simonton , 82, died Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, at a nursing home in Roswell.
Services are scheduled for 2p. m. today at LaGrone Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Dare Stevens of First United Methodist Church will conduct the service. Roswell Veteran’s Honor Guard will provide military honors at South Park Cemetery.H. V. was born July 9, 1925, in Keysport, Ill., to William and Almedia Goodin Simonton. He married Edie Halver on Dec. 14, 1947, in Havre. This year Edie and Babe would have celebrated 60 years of marriage. The Simonton’s came to Roswell in 1971, after living in Havre for 25 years, where Babe was a deputy sheriff. He was of the Methodist faith, a member of the National Sheriff’s Association, the Elks Lodge, the D.A.V., and V.F.W. He was a motel owner and operator for years. His parents preceded him in death, as well as a son, Wayne Simonton, and a grandson; brothers, Frank Simonton and Buck Simonton, and sisters, Lois Ecker, Edith Childers, Farriel Cranford, Murl Harnetiaux, Lola Orbertino, Gloria Lee Fontana, and Dixie Miller, all from Illinois. He is survived by his wife, Edie, of Roswell; daughter, Debbie Simonton Ellington of Roswell; brothers, Don Simonton and Charlie Simonton; sister, Leetha Schone; one grandson and one great-grandson. The family requests memorials be made to the Roswell Joy Senior Citizens Center 1822N. Montana Ave. Roswell, NM 88201 Friends may pay respects on-line at www.lagronefuneralchapels. com Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel.
