John Simonson

  John Elwood Simonson, age 72, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015.
  John was born on March 26, 1943, in Mount Vernon. He was a 1962 graduate of Ferndale High School and as a young man worked in the bean fields and did lawn care. Through mutual friends he met Eleanor Forthun. They married on June 21, 1968. For 22 years they worked at Kovacs in Bellingham. John and Eleanor served 32 years as volunteers at the Ferndale Food Bank. John also worked at Bob and Cyndy’s Trophies in Ferndale. John was an avid fisherman and took great interest in antique cars and miniature golf. He and Eleanor would send family and friends cards of encouragement based on their Bible studies.
  John is survived by his wife, Eleanor; sister Rose Marie (Daryl) Hamstra and daughter Vicki; and brother-in-law Robert Forthun.
  A visitation and viewing time will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, in Gillies Funeral Home. The graveside committal will be at 3 p.m. in Lakeside Cemetery on Pangborn Road on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, followed by a 4 p.m. memorial service at Valley Church, 904 Nooksack Ave., Nooksack, WA 98247.
  You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
  Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.