John Franklin Simpson, 88, of Carlinville, IL, formerly of Cairo, IL passed away Saturday, January 13, 2018 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. He was born November 30, 1929 in Rector, AR to John Marshall and Esther Aline (Waddle) Simpson. John married his high school sweetheart Mary Ann, July 23, 1951 in Cairo, IL.

He is preceded in death by his father on December 29, 1955 and his mother of June 9, 1994.

John moved to Cairo, IL with his parents in 1931 and graduated from Cairo High School in 1947 where he played football and basketball. He graduated from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 1951. After serving with the Illinois National Guard, he returned to Cairo in 1952 to join his father at Simpson’s Drug Store. A Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow, John worked for many years with the youth baseball league. He worshipped and sang in the choir at Mighty Rivers Worship Center, and served on the board of many Cairo organizations. John was an avid tennis player and square dancer for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Simpson of Carlinville, IL, his sons; Kenneth (Sylvia Nissenboim) Simpson of St. Louis, MO, Richard (Kelda) Simpson of Rockville, MD, Scott (Erin) Simpson of Carlinville, IL, Frank (Amy) Simpson of Carbondale, IL, brother, John Marshall (Greta) Simpson of Blue Eye, MO and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in Cairo in the spring, and his ashes will be buried in the Waddle-Simpson family plot at Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector, Arkansas.

Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association.