Simon Weimer Koons
Sterling, Kansas, 1 August 1919

   Another of the Kansas pioneers passed to his reward when Simon W. Koons, of Nickerson, formerly a resident of this city, died Tuesday night, at about half past eleven o'clock, at the Sterling hospital, where he had been a patient for the last three months. Mr. Koons suffered a stroke of apoplexy in December 1917, shortly after the death of his wife, and had been unable to recover from the effects of the attack. Three months ago his condition became serious and he was brought to the local hospital for treatment. Everything possible was done for his relief but his condition grew gradually weaker until death brought release from suffering.
   Mr. Koons made his home for a number of years on a farm seven miles southwest of Sterling and later moved to this city where he resided for several years. He was well known and held in high esteem in the locality, where he had made his home for so many years, and has a large circle of friends who will learn of his death with sincere regret.
   Mr. Koons was born in Wayne county, March 12, 1848. He made his home in Ohio until August 1877, when he came to Kansas. He was joined here by his wife and three children, in November of the same year, and the family settled on the homestead southwest of Sterling, where they made their home until the fall of 1909, when they moved to this city. The death of Mrs. Koons occurred in 1917 and after she passed away Mr. Koons made his home with his children.
   Mr. Koons was always interested in the affairs of the communities in which he made his home and while living on the farm served for several terms as trustee in Valley Township.
   He joined the United Brethren church in his boyhood but later transferred his membership to the Methodist church and was a member of the congregation in this city. He was also much interested in lodge work and was a member of the Masonic lodge, the I.O.O.F. and the A.O.U.W., holding his membership in the lodges in this city.
   Coming to this locality as he did in the early days of its settlement, he did his part in building up the great commonwealth and in changing the uncultivated prairie to the prosperous land which it now is. He bore uncomplaining his share of the hardships and inconveniences of the early days, and later took great satisfaction in the returns which he enjoyed.
   Mr. Koons was married December 1, 1870 to Minerva J. Grady. The union was blessed with six children who survive their father. They are Dr. F.W. Koons, of Nickerson, Guy G. Koons, of Alden, Bryson Koons, of Little River, Mrs. Nola Burroughs of Alden, Mrs. Callie Coldwater, of Forgan, Okla., Mrs. Lela Wagner of Lyons. One brother, Solomon Koons, of Minneapolis, Minn., also survives.
   Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon, at four o'clock, at the home of Guy Koons, at Alden, and were conducted by Rev. W.L. Hinshaw.
   Burial was made in Cottonwood cemetery in this city and the I.O.O.F. lodge held their ritualistic service at the grave.