Loran E. SimsLoran E. Sims, of Winona Lake, passed away at home surrounded by family at 1:06 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, at the age of 84.
He was born on Nov. 24, 1937, in Winamac, at the Dr. Carneal Hospital, weighing in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces to Frances Mildred Leap Sims and Jesse Edward Sims. Loran was great about sharing childhood stories and writing down his thoughts, he wrote … “since birthrate was low during what is now called the Great Depression, I was probably not a ‘planned’ baby, but I was certainly welcomed! Being the first child of my parents and first grandchild of the Leaps.”
His family moved to Culver in 1943 where he was a 1955 graduate of Culver High School. Loran was very intelligent and earned his Bachelor of Arts in English and Science in 1959 from Manchester University in North Manchester. He served in the Army National Guard for eight years in units in Warsaw and Wabash from 1955 until his discharge on Sept. 7, 1963. Loran joined RR Donnelley & Sons in Warsaw from 1959, transferring to Lancaster, Pa., in 1980. He returned to Warsaw in 1994 and retired in April of 1997 after 38½ years with Donnelley’s. He also worked part time at Bertsch Vending, Heartland Coffee and Zale Drugs in Warsaw.
On June 9, 1978, he married Linda Lee Lozier Phillips at First United Methodist Church in Warsaw. They were blessed to share 44 years of marriage before Loran passed away. He and Linda traveled extensively, touring 49 states, visiting 46 state capitals and most of the U.S. presidents’ birthplaces. They were fortunate to have visited 15 countries in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Europe on 13 extended overseas trips.
Loran was community-minded and gave back by serving on the boards of the Kosciusko Community YMCA, City-County Athletic Complex (CCAC), Northern Indiana Credit Union and the Kosciusko County Historical Society. He was a former member of Warsaw Kiwanis Club, Warsaw Noon Optimist Club and a member of the Barbershop Singing Society in Columbia City and in Lancaster, Pa.
Loran accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the age of 12 at Culver EUB Church. Throughout his life, he continued to serve his Lord in several areas as a Sunday school teacher, small group leader, lay leader at Walnut Creek United Methodist Church in Warsaw, elder at Warsaw Presbyterian Church and trustee at Warsaw First United Methodist Church. Loran LOVED to sing and was a singer since the age of three singing in several church choirs during his lifetime, in gospel quartets … Royal Sons, Glory Jones, Tidings of Joy and in barbershop quartets, Chain Gang and two Sounds of Hope European Tours in 1979 and 1984.
More than anything, Loran loved his family and he especially loved family get togethers. He always made himself available to attend the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s school and sporting events. Loran had a big heart for his family and his Lord and will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Linda Lee Sims, Winona Lake; former spouse and mother of his children, Saundra Kennedy, Warsaw; three daughters, Beth Wells; Belinda Steggell, both of Warsaw; Barbara Sims, New Knoxville, Ohio; five stepsons, Terry (Kathy) Phillips, Lititz, Pa.; Larry (Deb) Phillips; Gary (Bonnie) Phillips, all of Warsaw; Jerry (Rachelle) Phillips, Pierceton; Kerry “Joe” (Sabrina) Phillips, Mentone; 22 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leon J. Sims; son-in-law, William “Rock” Wells; two grandsons: William Wells II and Nicholas Phillips.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service at the church on Wednesday, Sept. 21 from noon to 1 p.m.
Loran’s life will be celebrated with a service at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at First United Methodist Church of Warsaw, 179 S. Indiana St., Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Brian Smith, Chaplain Bryan Benjamin, and Pastor LeRoy Wise. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.
Memorial donations may be directed to First United Methodist Church of Warsaw, 179 S. Indiana St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
