Larry Robert Simmerman

Larry Robert Simmerman “Zippo,” son of Virgil and Mamie Simmerman, was born August 2nd, 1941, in Osceola, Iowa, and went to be with the Lord, with his wife Joanne at his side, on Sunday, April 28th, 2024, at Landmark Hospital in Columbia, MO, at the age of 82.  

Larry graduated from Clarke Community High School in Osceola, Iowa in 1960, and he married Joanne Ellis on December 23, 1960. Larry grew up in Weldon, Iowa, and attended school there until Weldon was consolidated with Clarke Community High School. Larry loved sports and he played baseball, basketball, and his favorite- football. After graduating, Larry worked for Ringland Johnson and Crowley in Des Moines, for 13 years and belonged to the carpenters’ union.

Larry was baptized into the body of Christ when he was 19 years old and spent the rest of his life serving his Lord. When he was 32 years old, he decided he wanted to preach, so he gave up his job and moved to Moberly with his family, to attend Central Christian College of the Bible. While in Bible college, Larry played basketball, softball, and bowled. He supported his family with his business, Central Builders, and preached at Hickory Grove Christian Church on weekends. Larry graduated from CCCB in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Ministries. He served as minister at Southern Randolph Christian Chapel and helped build their church building while still working at his construction business. He preached at Union Christian Church south of Clarence for over 30 years, until he became ill in December of 2023. 

Larry coached basketball for a time at CCCB after he graduated, as well as helped with the youth group at Union Avenue Christian Church. He grew up building houses alongside his dad, so his construction business came naturally to him. He built houses all over Moberly, Columbia, Macon, and surrounding towns. His favorite building experience was the Southern Randolph Christian Chapel in Higbee and the Reese Resource Center at CCCB. Once he retired from building in 2011, Larry drove a school bus for Cairo Schools. He loved the students and community that he served. 

Larry worked hard to provide a home for his family and also enjoyed going on vacations and trips with them. He liked going to NASCAR races with his wife and son, hunting and fishing with his sons, and grandsons. Over the years, Larry took many trips to Branson for trout fishing and yearly fishing trips to Minnesota.  He learned to love Broadway musicals and saw many shows in St. Louis with his wife, daughter, and grandkids. His greatest enjoyment was just being home, watching Gunsmoke, or the Chiefs and Cardinals play (and maybe a little too much Fox News). He loved the holidays, family get-togethers, and grilling burgers with his son. 

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, son Adam, granddaughter-in-law Cassie Simmerman, great grandson Quinn, and his siblings Charles, Virgil, Virginia and Mamie. Larry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joanne; son, Aaron (Debra) of Moberly, daughter, Crystal (Jason)Martie of Macon, son, Seth of Moberly, grandson Nathanial (Addi) Simmerman of Duncan’s Bridge, granddaughters Kayla Simmerman of Moberly, Jamie Simmerman of Cairo, Megan (Ben) Simmerman of Cairo, Mickey, Sophie, and Paisley Martie of Macon; great grandchildren Macen Maxwell, Dakota Grafelman, Rhett, and Andrew Schumann all of Cairo, and, Emmalynn and Harlynn Simmerman of Duncan’s Bridge, other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to James Hla, Thailand Missions or Solonique Adolphe, Living Waters Christian Mission. 

A visitation celebrating Larry's life will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel in Moberly. A funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. om Friday, May 3, 2024, at Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel in Moberly, followed by interment at Chaney Cemetery in Weldon, IA, at 3:00 p.m.

Local arrangements are under the direction of PATHWAY-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, Missouri 65270 (660) 263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.