Roger W. Simonton

SIMONTON, Roger W.
Of Portage Went to be with his Lord on April 13, 2011 at his residence with his family by his side. Roger was born June 16, 1938 in Kalamazoo, a son of Harold and Geraldine Jackson Simonton and was a lifelong Kalamazoo area resident. He served honorably in the U.S. Army Reserves during peacetime. Roger was employed for 15 years at N.C.R. and later became owner/operator of coin operated laundries in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. Roger was a long time member of the Portage United Methodist Church. He was an all around outdoorsman and especially loved being on the water. Roger enjoyed skiing, boating, fishing and camping. He was a member of the Kalamazoo Valley Outboard Club and volunteered his time with the Blind Skiing Program at Timber Ridge and served as a Big Brother for several years. On October 29, 1994, he was married to Linda Anderson, who survives. Also surviving are a son Eric Simonton of Kalamazoo and a daughter Paige Fiester-Reyes of Portage; 2 step-children, Kim John Poling of California and Tracy Berg of Kalamazoo; 3 grandchildren, Zoe, Isabel and Isaac Reyes; a sister Janis Castle of Kalamazoo; several nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday at the Portage United Methodist Church, 8740 S. Westnedge Ave. with Pastor Greg Wood and Pastor John Moore officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. 343-1508 Memorial contributions in Roger's memory may be made to the A.L.S. Association, Michigan Chapter, 678 Front St., N.W., Grand Rapids, MI 49504 or to the Portage United Methodist Church. Please visit www.langelands.com to leave a condolence to the family and view the video tribute.