Lawrence L. Simmons, 88, died December 10, 2008 at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend, Kansas. He was born September 9, 1920 at Ritchie County, West Virginia, the son of William A. and Carrie (Waggoner) Simmons. He married Evelyn Hofmeister June 16, 1957 at Hoisington, Kansas. A longtime resident of Claflin, Kansas, Mr. Simmons was a retired banker from First Bank of Chase, also having worked at Bushton State Bank and Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Claflin. Mr. Simmons was a member of the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Men, Claflin; past president of the Lions Club, also serving as secretary and treasurer for many years; Claflin Masonic Lodge; former Unified School District 354 board member and past president; and board member of the Claflin Scholarship Fund. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Simmons, of the home; one son: Frank Simmons, Claflin, Kansas; two daughters: Ruby Simmons, Kearney, Missouri; and AnneBelle Komarek, Kearney, Missouri; one sister, Sarah Schmidt, Augusta, Kansas; and four grandchildren: Kelly, Zack, Alex, and Aidan. He was preceded in death by four brothers: Larry, Charles, Kenneth, and Ernest Simmons; and three sisters: Hazel Van Buren; Virginia Simmons; and Velma Simmons. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 13, 2008 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. The Reverend Gene Langhofer will officiate. Burial will be in Hoisington Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 12, 2008 and from 9:00 a.m. to service time, Saturday, December 13, 2008 at the funeral home. Memorials are requested to the Claflin EMTs or the United Methodist Church, both in care of the funeral home.