Bro. Luke Simon

SIMON, Bro. Luke, OFM, a man known for his generous heart, enthusiasm and gentle humor, died Saturday, November 4, 2017 at St. Margaret Hall in Cincinnati. Born one of two children of Charles and Irene (McGowan) Simon on December 31, 1926, in Chicago, Ill., Donald Frederick, later Brother Luke, became a huge sports enthusiast, especially devoted to his Chicago Cubs who allowed him to watch games for free for picking up trash with his cousin. Having told Provincial Mark Soehner, "I'm ready to go," it should be noted he didn't go until after this year's World Series! Luke's call to religious life came after two years in the 78th Infantry, years of study at Marquette University in Milwaukee and DePaul University in Chicago. Upon graduation, he worked for a number of years in the insurance industry in Detroit and Chicago before entering St. Joseph Brothers' School in February, 1957. He professed his first vows in 1961 and Solemn Vows in 1964. He served as Treasurer at Bishop Luers High School in Ft. Wayne, Ind., porter at St. Leonard College in Centerville, Oh., and treasurer at Roger Bacon High School in St. Bernard, Oh. A variety of ministries marked his time in Peoria, and Bloomington, Ill., before his twenty years in pastoral ministry at St. Joseph in Louisville, Ky. culminated in an active retirement in Southfield, Mich. By 2013 failing health resulted in a real retirement in Cincinnati where he spent the final three years of his life at St. Margaret Hall. Luke was preceded in death by his parents and brother Robert and sister-in-law Alice. He is survived by his nephews Robert (Marcia) Simon, Jim (Lynda) Simon and their families, and friar classmates, Damian Cesanek, Michael Chowning, Leonard Cornelius and Robert Weakley. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Margaret Hall Chapel, 1960 Madison Road, Cincinnati, Oh., 45206 on Wednesday, November 8 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the friars' plot at St. Mary Cemetery in St. Bernard, Oh.