Person Page - 2861

     James Henry Seage was born on 7 September 1896 at Philadelphia Co., PA.¹ He was the son of Frank Lockwood Seage and Alice Catherine Rigg.¹ James Henry Seage married Winifred Mary Miller on 24 December 1916.¹ James Henry Seage married Edna Sargent circa 1920 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI.¹ James Henry Seage married Madge S. Simmons, daughter of Hollis Maurice Simmons and Emly Davis, after 1942 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI.¹ James Henry Seage died on 8 February 1978 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI, at age 81.¹

     Fannie Pearl Simmons was born on 25 October 1886 at Scotts, Pavilion, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ She was the daughter of Hollis Maurice Simmons and Emly Davis.¹ Fannie Pearl Simmons married William Frederick Larkin, son of Allen Nathan Larkin and Emogene Schott, on 26 January 1906 at Wakeshma, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ Fannie Pearl Simmons and William Frederick Larkin were divorced.¹ Fannie Pearl Simmons died on 24 July 1956 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI, at age 69.¹ She was buried at Gilson Cemetery, Pavilion, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹
     As of 26 January 1906,her married name was Larkin. From an obituary: Mrs. Fanny Larkin, 69, a lifelong resident of Scotts, died Tuesday morning in a Battle Creek hospital where she had been a patient for four days. She had been in poor health previously. Mrs. Larkin was born Oct. 25, 1886 in Kalamazoo County, daughter of Hollis M. and Emlay (Davis) Simmons. She is survived by three sons, Donald A. Larkin of Three Rivers, Harvey J. Larkin of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Elgin E. Larkin of Scotts; a daughter, Mrs. Meda Miller of Battle Creek; two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Henry of Scotts and Mrs. Madge Seage of Battle Creek; a half-sister, Mrs. Lucy Wilkinson of Kalamazoo, and three grandchildren. Mrs. Fanny Larkin Climax, Mich.¹

     Archie H. Henry was born in June 1879 at Brady, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ He was the son of Ansel Henry and Susanna Weinberg.¹ Archie H. Henry married Sarah A. Simmons, daughter of Hollis Maurice Simmons and Emly Davis, on 6 September 1899 at Galesburg, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ Archie H. Henry died in November 1949 at Kalamazoo Co., MI, at age 70.¹ He was buried at Climax Cemetery, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹

     Leo Henry was born in September 1910 at Climax, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ He was the son of Archie H. Henry and Sarah A. Simmons.¹ Leo Henry died on 27 September 1918 at Climax, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ He was buried on 29 September 1918 at Climax Cemetery, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹

     Deo D. Henry was born on 17 April 1913 at Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ He was the son of Archie H. Henry and Sarah A. Simmons.¹ Deo D. Henry married Yvonne Brown, daughter of Charles L. Brown and Nellie May Sager.¹ Deo D. Henry and Yvonne Brown were divorced circa 1966.¹ Deo D. Henry died on 5 April 1991 at Climax, Kalamazoo Co., MI, at age 77.¹

     Harlow S. Henry was born on 3 April 1905 at Calhoun Co., MI.¹ He was the son of Archie H. Henry and Sarah A. Simmons.¹ Harlow S. Henry married Eva Gertrude Sprister, daughter of George Sprister and Bessie V. Baker, on 5 November 1924 at Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ Harlow S. Henry died on 26 May 1973 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI, at age 68.¹

     Wesley A. Selby was born in October 1863 at Adams Co., IN.¹ He was the son of Wesley J. Selby and Matilda Spangler.¹ Wesley A. Selby married Effie May Simmons, daughter of Hollis Maurice Simmons and Emly Davis, on 25 November 1888 at Wakeshma, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹

     Claud David Mastin was born on 26 November 1893 at Climax, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ He married Emma A. Berger on 15 February 1915 at Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ Claud David Mastin died on 8 July 1963 at Scotts, Pavilion, Kalamazoo Co., MI, at age 69.¹ He was buried at Gilson Cemetery, Pavilion, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹

     Emma A. Berger was born on 19 April 1895 at Climax, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ She married Claud David Mastin on 15 February 1915 at Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ Emma A. Berger died in May 1978 at Portage, Kalamazoo Co., MI, at age 83.¹ She was buried at Gilson Cemetery, Pavilion, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹
     As of 15 February 1915,her married name was Mastin.

     Mary E. Parish was born in May 1893 at Climax, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ She was the daughter of Eugene M. Parish and Sarah Marie Stratton.¹ Mary E. Parish married Delos Lausie Simmons, son of Hollis Maurice Simmons and Emly Davis, on 3 February 1911 at Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ Mary E. Parish died in 1952 at Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ She was buried at Vicksburg Cemetery, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹
     As of 3 February 1911,her married name was Simmons.

     Hollis Rovelle Simmons was born on 29 September 1912 at Climax, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ He was the son of Delos Lausie Simmons and Mary E. Parish.¹ Hollis Rovelle Simmons married Margaret E. Hill, daughter of Malcolm George Hill and Mable K. Miller, on 4 July 1934 at Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ Hollis Rovelle Simmons died on 3 August 2003 at Las Vegas, Clark Co., NV, at age 90.¹ He was buried on 8 August 2003 at Vicksburg Cemetery, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹
     From an obituary: "Work as hard as you play" was a favorite saying of Rovelle Simmons. Anyone who knew him would attest that he lived by that philosophy. There we re no idle moments in his day. Whether working at the car dealership, flying his airplane, tending to his garden or enjoying the sights and sounds of Las Vegas, he was constantly on the move. He was a simple man who enjoyed people. Through his many years in business he got to know many residents of Vicksburg and the surrounding communities. His name and his legacy will be a part of the community for years to come.

Hollis Rovelle Simmons was born on September 29, 1912 in Climax Twp on the family farm as one of 4 children to Loss and Mary (Parish) Simmons. Growing up on the farm taught Rovelle many lessons such as hard work and discipline. These lessons would serve him well throughout his life. Like many young boys, mechanical devices tweaked his curiosity as he was always tinkering and working with machinery. While in high school he worked for Rollie Adams at Adams Garage and learned the valuable craft of being a mechanic. Between his job at the garage and his chores on the family farm, there was little time for play or after school activities; but while many young men of that era left school to work full time, Rovelle stayed in school and graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1932. Throughout the years he has stayed in touch with his classmates and recently attended his 71st class reunion. Both his friends and family were important to Rovelle.

After graduating from school Rovelle worked as a milkman, picking up milk from the farmers and delivering it to the dairy for pasteurizing. He later worked for Simpson Paper Mill during the war years and in 1946 he received the opportunity to start a Kaiser-Frazer and Nash dealership in Vicksburg while also selling International Harvester tractors. In April of 1955 he received another opportunity, as he was able to purchase the Ford dealership in Vicksburg from John Dir. Owning a Ford dealership was a dream come true for Rovelle as he admired the company's founder, Henry Ford, and believed in their product. His business was growing and in 1957 he built a new building on the corner of Prairie and Boulevard. A year later took on a Rambler dealership and moved his operation a bigger building on West Prairie. Eventually in 1973 he built the present day Simmons Ford building on the corner of Portage and VW Avenue. The new building gave the business much needed room to grow and would meet the needs of the customers for many years to come. Rovelle truly enjoyed his job and meeting with people. Long after many people would retire, he stayed active within the business and his presence was felt within the organization that he built until his death.

He married a high school classmate, Margaret Hill, on July 4, 1934 and together they raised their 4 children in a home that stressed family values. Though owning a business requires many hours of work, Rovelle made it a point to eat dinner, promptly at 5 PM, with the family. On weekends he enjoyed watching his kids race quarter midget cars. He not only got a thrill out of watching the races, but also enjoyed using his mechanical skills to work on the cars. Other family vacations would include trips to Florida over the Christmas holidays and day trips to Lake MI in the summer or Echo Valley in the winter. Margaret died in 1987 and Rovelle married Helena Browne on March 11, 1989. He enjoyed spending time with Helena's children and grandchildren and would take them on vacations. Together, Rovelle and Helena spent the last 14 years traveling, spending time in their winter residence in Florida and enjoying each other's company.

In 1948 he took an airplane in on a trade for a car. With his philosophy of wanting to know how to use things that he owned, he took flying lessons and fell in love with flying. It was a true passion and enjoyed taking others for rides. Many young boys, after they won the local Punt, Pass and Kick competition were given the reward with their first plane ride. In 1962, he purchased a new Beachcraft Debenoir plane and logged many hours on the craft until selling it to his son Gene. He flew regularly until he was in his 80's. Rovelle was lucky enough in his lifetime to have the opportunity to fly on the Concord and a vintage T33 Jet.

He was active in many organizations throughout the years including the Portage- Brady Lodge #340 F&AM, Airline Owners Pilots Association, National Auto Dealers Association, the MI Auto Dealers Association, and served as mayor for the village of Vicksburg.

Rovelle died suddenly in Las Vegas on Sunday, August 3, 2003. Members of his family include his wife Helena, 2 daughters: Sue Miles and her partner Patrick of Seminole FL, Pam and her husband Richard See of Homestead FL, a son Gene and his wife Sandra of Vicksburg, Stepchildren: Gerald Browne of Mesick, Kay and her husband Donald Smith of Crystal, and Susan and her husband James Prudden of Schoolcraft, 2 sisters: Joyce Ferko of Ithaca and Gertrude and her husband Gordon McGowan of Kalamazoo, 9 grandchildren, 15 step grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and 15 step great grandchildren. He follows in death his first wife Margaret, a daughter Margery Stoddard, brother Charlie, and stepsons Philip and Jim Browne.¹

     Charles M. Simmons was born on 3 June 1915 at Climax, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ He was the son of Delos Lausie Simmons and Mary E. Parish.¹ Charles M. Simmons married Greta A. Nidy, daughter of Walter Nidy and Josie A. (????).¹ Charles M. Simmons died on 17 July 1989 at Brady, Kalamazoo Co., MI, at age 74.¹ He was buried at Vicksburg Cemetery, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹

     Harry Miller was born circa 1910 at Swan Creek, Fulton Co., OH.¹ He married Eleanor Geibe.¹ Harry Miller died at Three Rivers, St. Joseph Co., MI.¹

     Eleanor Geibe was born circa 1916.¹ She married Harry Miller.¹
     Her married name was Miller.

     May L. Soule was born on 12 July 1873 at Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ She was the daughter of Stephen Elton Soule and Harriet Roberts.¹ May L. Soule married Jesse F. Simmons, son of Hollis Maurice Simmons and Emly Davis, on 2 March 1890 at Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ May L. Soule died on 11 December 1912 at Climax, Kalamazoo Co., MI, at age 39.¹ She was buried on 12 December 1912 at Harrison Cemetery, Climax, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹
     As of 2 March 1890,her married name was Simmons.

     Charles Wesley Hardy was born on 13 November 1876 at Texas, Henry Co., OH.¹ He married Amy Fay Bower on 23 November 1911 at Factoryville, Leonidas, St. Joseph Co., MI.¹ Charles Wesley Hardy died on 16 November 1963 at Evart, Osceola Co, MI, at age 87.¹ He was buried at Lakeside Cemetery, Colon, St. Joseph Co., MI.¹

     Elgin Eldon Larkin was born on 31 July 1914 at Scotts, Pavilion, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ He was the son of William Frederick Larkin and Fannie Pearl Simmons.¹ Elgin Eldon Larkin married LaWave Hattie Mastin, daughter of Claud David Mastin and Emma A. Berger, on 15 May 1942 at Marshall, Calhoun Co., MI.¹ Elgin Eldon Larkin died on 27 July 2005 at Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., MI, at age 90.¹ He was buried at Gilson Cemetery, Pavilion, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹
     He enlisted as a private in the Army on 22 March 1943.¹ From an obituary in the "Kalamazoo Gazette": Died July 27, 2005 at Kairos Dwelling. Elgin was born July 31, 1914 in Scotts, Michigan, the son of William and Fannie (Simmons) Larkin. Elgin married LeWave Harriet Mastin on May 15, 1942, but she preceded him in death on June 29, 2004. Surviving Elgin are nieces, Rita Keller of Kalamazoo, Sharon (Donald) Nowak of Portage; nephew, Dave (Nancy) Cretsinger of Kalamazoo; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Larkin of Three Rivers. Also preceding him in death are his brothers, sister and their spouses. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2005 at Gilson Cemetery, Scotts, Michigan.¹

     Ethel Belle Gilbert was born on 14 August 1884 at Lagrange Co., IN.¹ She was the daughter of Miles Gilbert and Mary J. Duff.¹ Ethel Belle Gilbert married (????) Helmer.¹ Ethel Belle Gilbert married Clare Albert Simmons, son of Hollis Maurice Simmons and Emly Davis, on 2 June 1918 at Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ Ethel Belle Gilbert died on 6 December 1973 at Kalamazoo Co., MI, at age 89.¹ She was buried at Vicksburg Cemetery, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹
     Her married name was Helmer. As of 2 June 1918,her married name was Simmons.

     Carl E. Bates was born on 4 May 1896 at MI.¹ He married Laura Miller, daughter of Alfred Miller and Martha Barringer, on 30 November 1922 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI.¹ Carl E. Bates married Madge S. Simmons, daughter of Hollis Maurice Simmons and Emly Davis, circa 1938 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI.¹ Carl E. Bates and Madge S. Simmons were divorced.¹ Carl E. Bates died in February 1967 at MI at age 70.¹

     Winnie May Simmons was born on 10 October 1892 at Climax, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹ She was the daughter of Jesse F. Simmons and May L. Soule.¹ Winnie May Simmons died on 14 February 1908 at Climax, Kalamazoo Co., MI, at age 15; suicide.¹ She was buried on 16 February 1908 at Gilson Cemetery, Pavilion, Kalamazoo Co., MI.¹

     Ann Laloni Larkin is the daughter of Harvey J. Larkin and Kathryn Stirdivant.¹

     Amy Fay Bower was born on 3 December 1887 at Colon, St. Joseph Co., MI.¹ She married Charles Wesley Hardy on 23 November 1911 at Factoryville, Leonidas, St. Joseph Co., MI.¹ Amy Fay Bower died on 7 July 1969 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI, at age 81.¹ She was buried at Lakeside Cemetery, Colon, St. Joseph Co., MI.¹
     As of 23 November 1911,her married name was Hardy.

     Damon Dair Banks was born on 22 January 1893 at Payne, Paulding Co., OH.¹ He was the son of Francis Asberry Banks and Indiana Moyer.¹ Damon Dair Banks married Lillian Emily Hewitt, daughter of William H. Hewitt and Blanche Simmons, on 7 August 1913 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI.¹ Damon Dair Banks died on 21 July 1983 at MI at age 90.¹ He was buried at Youngs Cemetery, Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI.¹

     Francis Asberry Banks was born in October 1849 at Hicksville, Paulding Co., OH.¹ He married Indiana Moyer on 21 November 1873 at OH.¹ Francis Asberry Banks died on 11 June 1924 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI, at age 74.¹ He was buried at Youngs Cemetery, Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI.¹

     Indiana Moyer was born on 20 March 1860 at IN.¹ She married Francis Asberry Banks on 21 November 1873 at OH.¹ Indiana Moyer died in 1949 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI.¹ She was buried at Youngs Cemetery, Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI.¹
     As of 21 November 1873,her married name was Banks.