Daniel R. Simone

Beloved father, Daniel R. Simone, age 87, of St. Louis, MO., passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, March 14, 2025. He was born September 23, 1937, in Rockford, IL., to the late Frank and Rose (Dequardo) Simone. After high school Daniel served in the Air Force and was stationed in Chateauroux, France where he developed a love for all things French even becoming a French food and wine connoisseur. His love of France was something that he enjoyed sharing with his family as they vacationed there multiple times. Upon leaving the Air Force he attended the University of Illinois on the GI Bill, obtaining a Liberal Arts degree majoring in French. Daniel taught French at the high school level while working on and obtaining his Master's in Education from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. Daniel would end up becoming school principal for a while before transitioning into his next career as an entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur Daniel was the original developer and owner of Del Carmen's Pizza in Decatur, IL. He also worked as a stockbroker with EF Hutton in Decatur before moving to Prudential Securities in St. Louis, MO. He had several hobbies which included reading, listening to and playing music, linguistics, handball, racquet ball, fishing and traveling. Daniel is survived by: his children; Rodney Simone and girlfriend, Meredith, Gerald Simone and wife Connie, Amanda Bergheger and boyfriend Michael, Elizabeth Simone and boyfriend Jason; sister, Ardith Reed and husband Paul; brother, Peter Merhalski and wife, Brenda; sister-in-law, Kimberly Rauch and husband Tony: grandchildren, Brock Dekok, Daniel Simone, Ashlee Hall, Zack Simone, Wesley Simone, Jordan Bergheger, Kamri Bergheger and Gracie Simone; great-grandchildren, Ragan Dekok, Brody Dekok, Cole Simone, Cruz Hall, Charlotte Simone, Brooks Simone, Bodhi Simone and several other family members and friends that will fondly remember him. In addition to his parents, Daniel is preceded in death by: his first wife, Carmen Simone, his wife Kerri Simone and a granddaughter, Maya Bergheger. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the First Baptist Church in Columbia, IL. Funeral service will be Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 11:30 AM with Pastor Jonathan Peters officiating. Burial will follow at Evangelical St. Paul cemetery in Columbia, IL. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that contributions be directed to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692, with envelopes available at the church. For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home.

Daniel R. Simone

September 23, 1937 - March 14, 2025