John Simon

After a protracted illness, John R. Simon died as he had wished, at home, surrounded by the love and the arms of his immediate family. John was born September 5, 1930, in Youngstown, Ohio, to the late John M. and Isabel Deans Simon. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Marilyn Hague Simon, daughter Beth A. Cotterill, grandson Matthew L. Cotterill of the home, and his faithful companion, Addie, who stayed by his side throughout his last illness. Additionally, he is survived by his elder daughter Susan (Hollis) Henderson of Placerville, California, and by his grandchildren, Nathan (Erin) Murphy of Tolucca Lake, California, Sunberri Murphy of Harlem, New York, and Devlin Murphy of North Hollywood, California. John has a brother Thomas Simon, niece Debi (Don) Pritchard, nephews Michael (Debbie) Simon, and Tom Simon, Junior, and a host of other relatives in Youngstown, Ohio. John graduated from Youngstown South High School in January, 1949. Immediately, he joined the United States Marine Corps in April, 1949, went through boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, and was stationed at Cherry Point North Carolina. The Marine Corps was a life-changing event for John. He learned attitudes that influenced the rest of his life—self-discipline, doing the best job he could, and the value of teamwork as he and his platoon worked together to be the best. He was honorably discharged and served six years in the Reserves. John and his wife Marilyn lived briefly in Kingsport, Tennessee, where he attended East Tennessee State College in Johnson City. In 1952, he transferred to Ohio State University where, in 1953, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, and in 1956, a Master of Arts Degree in School Administration. His first years of teaching were at Edison Junior High in Grandview Heights. He was assistant director of the Ohio School Boards Association for three years. Most of his career, however, was spent with Scioto-Darby Local Schools, now Hilliard City Schools. He was principal of Hilliard Junior High for five years and of Ridgewood Elementary for a year. For the remainder of his years with the district, John was the Assistant Superintendent. After his retirement in 1985, he worked for Pete Miller of Miller Paving, an ex-junior high student of his, a fact that delighted him. Family will receive friends 10-11 am Friday at the TIDD FUNERAL HOME, 5265 Norwich St., Hilliard, OH, where a memorial service will follow at 11 am Friday with Julie Osborn officiating.