Jeffrey Heinzle Simmons

Jeffrey Heinzle Simmons, 67, passed away Monday, February 12, 2024 at his home in Burlington, Kansas.

He was born on August 1, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Dayton Joseph and Marguerite Heinzle Simmons. Jeffrey attended El Dorado High School and graduated with the Class of 1975.  He attended both Emporia State University and Kansas State University. His academic dedication earned him a Bachelor of Math from E.S.U. and a Bachelor of Nuclear Engineering from K.S.U., both in 1981.  He followed up this achievement by earning a Masters in Nuclear Engineering from Kansas State University in 1983.

Jeffrey married the love of his life, Nancy Jean Goetz on May 31, 1978 in Emporia.  They began their lives together in Emporia before moving to Manhattan for the completion of his education.  Jeffrey traveled throughout the United States working at various nuclear power stations.  In September of 1982 he began his journey at Riverbend Station in St. Francisville, LA. In 1986 he was called to work at Arkansas Nuclear One in Russellville, Arkansas. 1990 took him to Oswego, New York to work at the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station.  In 1998 Jeffrey and Nancy made their home in Burlington, Kansas as he took a position at the Wolf Creek Generating Station.  He completed 15 years of service at Wolf Creek before his retirement in 2013.

Jeffrey continued to be involved in  the industry serving several years as a consultant at many plants around the country.  He also served as a substitute teacher for USD #243, Lebo & Waverly Schools.

Jeffrey and Nancy are members of the Flint Hills Bible Church in Emporia, Kansas.

He will live on in the hearts and memories of his devoted wife, Nancy of their home in Burlington; three sons, Dayton Simmons and his wife Jess of Edgerton, MO, Justin Simmons and his wife Becca of Blue Springs, MO, and Elijah Simmons and his wife Corinne of Overland Park, KS; eight grandchildren; two sisters, Margaret Hapgood and her husband Curtis of Merriam, KS, and Joanna Treas and her husband Chip of Clay Center, KS; two brothers, Dayton Simmons and his wife Renee of Georgetown, TX, and Bob Simmons of Herndon, VA; three step-brothers, Craig Eustice and his wife Joan of San Antonio, FL, Brad Eustice and his wife Nancy of Edmonds, WA, and Judd Eustice and his wife Monica of Taipei, Taiwan; Numerous extended family and a community of friends.  Jeffrey was preceded in death by his parents, “Joe” and Marguerite; a sister, Susan Simmons and two brothers, Joseph “Pat” Simmons and Tom Simmons.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, February 16, 2024 at the Flint Hills Bible Church in Emporia, Kansas. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Life Care Center of Ottawa, Kansas and sent in care of the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home & Crematory at P.O. Box #43, Lebo, Kansas 66856.  Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.