Michael “Mike” Dean Simon, 71, passed away on March 17, 2022, at Hays
Medical Center in Hays, Kansas, surrounded by his life long best friends
and loved ones. He was born on December 27, 1950, to James and Lola
(Nichols) Simon in Wichita, Kansas. Mike was united in marriage to
Marilyn (Ostrom) Simon on April 16, 1982, in Hays, Kansas. The couple
was blessed with one son, Chad.
Mike grew up in Rooks County, Kansas, and graduated from Palco High
School in 1969. He went to work for Schult Manufacturing for a short
stent before going to work as a station manager for Coffeyville
Resources which was formally Farmland Resources, for 37 years before his
retirement. He was a proud member of the NRA, Sacred Heart Catholic
Church, and St. Anne’s Catholic Church.
Mike was very handy and could build, forge, or weld anything he
could look at a picture of. Mike moved into a late 1800’s schoolhouse
and turned it into the home he would raise his family and build over 60
years of memories. He lived in that home up until his earthly departure.
Mike was a man that was known by many and loved by all. You could
guarantee he would greet you with his well-known belly laugh and a
rather rough back-pat. There wasn’t a whole lot more that could make
Mike happier than when he and his best friends would get together for a
cold beer, story time, and maybe even trouble; or time at the lake when
he was camping with Chad and Aimee, fishing with his faithful dog,
Milley; or when Aimee’s girlfriends would come over for pool parties.
We find comfort that Mike was a man of God and of great love. He
lived by example that each day is a blessing, and we need to find joy in
every moment we get with the ones we love. We will see our father,
brother, friend, and follower of Christ again, and with his famous
greeting - a belly laugh and a good, rough, back-pat.
Mike is survived by his mother, Lola Simon of Plainville, KS; son,
Chad Simon (Aimee Gardanier) of Plainville, KS; sister, Jolene (Rod)
McElroy of Ohio, Stanley (Maria) Simon of Plainville, KS; mother-in-law,
Charlotte Ostrom; and a grand-pup, Piper Jo.
He is preceded in death by his father, James Simon; wife, Marilyn Simon; and father-in-law, Delbert Ostrom.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 25, 2022,
at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville, KS at 10:30AM.
Visitation will be on Thursday from 2PM until 8PM with a Vigil Service
and Rosary at 7PM at the funeral home. Family will be receiving friends
from 6PM until 8Pm.
Memorials are suggested to Hays Hospice or Friends of Webster State
Park and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW
2nd St., Plainville, KS 67663.