Harry E. Simons Demski

Harry E. Simons Demski, age 69, of Quincy, died at his home on Wednesday night, April 12, 2006. Harry was born March 15, 1937 in Girard Township. He was the son of Donald B. and Theresa (Rakoske) Simons. Harry was raised by his grandparents Tony and Anna Rakoske in the farm house he was born in. He lived all of his life in Branch County where he lived in Girard Township for 30 years moving back into the house he was born in until 12 years ago when he and his wife moved to Algansee Township. Harry served with the Michigan Army National Guard, as a mechanic. He graduated from his Army mechanic training courses at Ft. Knox with honors. Harry was married to Jeanette M. "Spike" Lamb Sargent in Bryan, Ohio. The couple worked side by side for the majority of their lives. They were carpet installers from 1966 until 1976, doing many installations for the former Wolf Floor Covering of Marshall. They then started up an agricultural irrigation business from their farm on Girard Road, naming it "Spike''s Irrigation", which they still own and operate today. Harry and Spike sold systems from Maisco Irrigation of Middlebury, Indiana. Harry was a self taught man with a keen mind that let him create plans for a project and "keep them in his head" throughout completion. He did this with numerous irrigation projects, and special equipment and tools that he invented for clients, friends and family. Harry was a talented machine operator, and was a devoted customer of the John Deere Company for his backhoes and tractors. He was a member of the Quincy American Legion Post and the Coldwater Eagles. Harry enjoyed working with his hands, and most recently had taken up woodworking as a hobby with his family benefiting from numerous projects. Harry loved flying. He learned from various friends and instructors, earning his private pilot''s license. He flew from an air strip on his farm for many years. Harry was an avid motorcyclist, riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles, naturally with his wife Spike as his riding partner . The couple enjoyed trips in their motor home also. Harry is survived by his wife and partner Spike; their children, Annette (Bob) Brown of Coldwater, Cyndi (Mark) Eby of Arkansas, Patti (Jim) Miller of Sturgis, Tony (Mary) Demski of Lowell, Theresa (Tim) Milbocker of Wisconsin, Capt. Tim (Olga) Simons stationed with the U.S. Army as a chaplain in Korea, Marie (Dennis) Stoye of McMillan,MI, and Sherree (Kent) Dirschall of Coldwater; 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; his father, Donald B. (Leona) Simons of Coldwater; 2 brothers, Donnie D. (Jannene) Simons of Quincy and Chris (Carol) Simons of Coldwater; 4 sisters, Margie Howard of Elkhart,IN, Brenda (Ray) Hoard of Sturgis, Vanessa (Steve) Feasel of Decatuer,IN, and Donna Mae (Gary) Abbeg of Litchfield; many nieces and nephews. Harry was preceded in death by his parents George Demski and Theresa Rakoske Simons, his grandparents Tony and Ana Rakoske, and his much loved dog Tuffy. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home in Marshall on Monday, April 17, from 2PM to 8PM, where the family will be present to greet visitors and share memories from 2PM to 4PM and 6PM to 8PM. Funeral services to celebrate and remember Harry''s life will be held at Kempf Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 18, at 1:30PM with Rev. Wayne Halblieb officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Girard. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be directed to American Cancer Society. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.