Edward Donald Simons Jr. was the second child born to Bernadine and Edward Simons on April 17, 1956 in Poplar, Montana. He graduated from Poplar High School in 1975 and attended classes at Fort Peck Community College. He worked in various jobs including auto service, bartending, and custodial services but he settled with oil field service, which was much more fulfilling. He married the love of his life, Kristina G. Miller, on April 24, 1992, in Montesano, Washington. Among the hobbies he enjoyed were fishing, hunting, playing chess, photography, painting with pastels, oil, or acrylic and making star quilts. For entertainment he enjoyed movies, listening to classical music and watching his nieces and nephews play at the river. He attended and supported his Adventist church group, which he came to love as his own family. Ed was proud of his Lakota Sioux heritage and was a member of the Hunk Papa Tribe. He resided in Poplar, Montana the majority of his life. Edward died on June 4, 2010, at about 4:00 a.m. in Billings, Montana at the Billings Clinic Hospital. His heart just slowed down and stopped after suffering a systemic infection.
Ed is survived by his wife, Kristina Simons; an adopted son, Lenard Hilliard who is currently stationed in California with the U.S. Military; his sister, Missy Bearcub of Poplar, MT; his two brothers, Darren (Lauren RedDog) Simons of Poplar, MT, and Fred Simons of Poplar, MT; many special nieces and nephews, Marissa (C.J. BlackDog) DeMarrias of Ft. Kipp, MT, Ronnie & Thomas Black Dog of Ft. Kipp, MT, Chrissy DeMarrias of Poplar, MT, Jayden Demarrias of Ft. Kipp, MT, Shawnee DeMarrias of Poplar, MT, Teagan DeMarrias of Poplar, MT, Jory DeMarris of Poplar, MT, Talayne DeMarrias of Poplar, MT, Karen Simons of Poplar, MT, Aberial Spotted Elk of Poplar, MT, Ashley Simons of Poplar, MT, Stacey Star Simons of Poplar, MT, Destinee Young of Poplar, MT, Labrea Boadle of Poplar, MT, Franny Eyladander of Denver, CO, Laken Simons of Denver, CO, Nicholas Simons of Denver, CO, Jason Simons of Denver, CO, Amiee Simons of Poplar, MT, Chris (Averys Gorgonson) Simons of Poplar, MT, Tiffany Miller of Glide, OR, Katie Beth Miller of Milo, OR, Alex Miller of Milo, OR, Karrlee Miller of Milo, OR, Cara Miller of Milo, OR, and Brian Miller of Glide, OR.
He is proceeded in death by his paternal grandparents, Frances and Foscoe Simons; maternal grandparents, Angus and Suzie Myrick; parents, Edward D. Simons Sr. and Vernodee Ann (Bernadine) Myrick Simons; many aunts, many uncles and his favorite dog, Bandit.
A wake will be held 7 p.m. Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Poplar Cultural Center in Poplar, Montana. Funeral Services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, June 13, 2010 at the Poplar Cultural Center in Poplar, Montana. Interment will be held 10 a.m. Monday, June 14, 2010 at the Poplar City Cemetery in Poplar, Montana.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.