Elsie Marie (Witte) Simmons age 82, of Hammond, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2011. She was born on May 21, 1928 in rural Carroll Co., Missouri, the daughter of the late John and Lena (Steffens) Witte. Elsie was educated in the Norborne, MO area, graduating from Norborne High School in 1946. She married her sweetheart, Bill in 1948. They eventually settled in Harvey, IL, where they raised their three children, before moving to Hammond in 1969.

Elsie has been a resident of Hammond for over 41years. She and her husband Bill were owners of Hoosier Printing.

She is survived by one daughter, Deanna Glosser of Springfield, IL; two sons, Bill (Elizabeth) Simmons of Hammond and John (Alice) Simmons of Muscatine IA;

one granddaughter, three grandsons, two great grandchildren , one sister and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 38 years, Bill, her parents, two sisters and two brothers.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2011 from

2 until 8 p.m. at Bocken Funeral Home, 7042 Kennedy Avenue, Hammond (Hessville). Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 15 ^th directly at Concordia Lutheran Church, 7441 Grand Avenue, Hammond (Hessville) with Pastor Ronald Saatkamp officiating. There will be at time of visitation on Friday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 10:00 a.m. Mrs. Simmons will then be taken to Norborne, MO where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.

For more information you may call Bocken Funeral Home at (219)844-1600, or visit us at:www.bockenfunerals.com.