Ronald A. Simmons, 59, of 204 Tolan St., Ironwood, died unexpectedly Wednesday, May 14, 2008, in his home. He was born May 9, 1949, in Ironwood, son of the late Raymond and Alice (Saippa) Simmons Sr., attended St. Ambrose Grade School, and graduated from St. Ambrose High School in 1967. He received an associate of arts degree in liberal arts from Gogebic Community College in 1969, and attended Northland College in Ashland for one year. Ron was employed as an assistance payments worker for the Gogebic County Department of Social Services for several years, and in site maintenence for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Waterways Division, also for several years. He loved music and playing the guitar, and enjoyed birdwatching, animals, watching television, traveling and spending time with family. He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. Surviving are his longtime companion, Sherry Holm, of Ironwood; three brothers, Ray (Gloria), White Pine, Jim, Ironwood, and Brian (Janet Patterson), Wakefield; two sisters, Alicia (Ted) Schmalz, Bessemer, and Marguerite (Al) Koski, Negaunee; his extended family, Norman and Laura Holm and Nick and Marcia Nelson, all of Ironwood Township, Larry and Doreen Schaller, Lake Nebagamon, Wis., and their families; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins. Besides his parents, Ron was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph, in infancy in 1937; his step-mother, Florence Simmons; a niece, Linda Favero; a nephew, Ted Schmalz Jr.; and sister-in-law, Dorreen Simmons. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, May 19, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Darryl Pepin, celebrant. Rite of Committal will be held in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church, with luncheon to follow in the parish hall. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood. Relatives and friends may call in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church one hour prior to Mass on Monday. Pallbearers will be Ray, Jim, and Brian Simmons, Ted Schmalz, Jim Favero, and Nick Nelson. To view Ron's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home Inc. of Ironwood