Melvin T. Simmons

Melvin Thomas Simmons, 86, of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, August 1, 2026. He was welcomed into Heaven and joyfully reunited with those who had gone before him. 

Melvin was born on November 18, 1939, in Larned, Kansas, to Everett and Ethel (Nicholson) Simmons. He graduated from Larned High School with the Class of 1958. On May 28, 1967, Melvin married the love of his life, Lena Olsen. When they married, Lena brought three young children into their family, Melvin loved and raised them as his own from the very beginning. A year later they completed their family with the birth of another daughter. 

Melvin was a man of unwavering integrity who never shied away from hard work or helping others. He began his career working at the power plant in Larned before moving his family to Colorado, where he served as a ranch foreman for 18 months. In 1979, the family settled in Greensburg, Kansas, where Melvin served as the City Superintendent from 1979 to 2001. Following the Greensburg tornado, Melvin and Lena made their home in Medicine Lodge, where he continued to work for several more years in the city's maintenance department. 

A licensed pilot for many years, Melvin had a lifelong passion for flying and riding motorcycles. He loved being outdoors hunting and fishing. Melvin was an avid fan of KU Jayhawks basketball and the Kansas City Chiefs. Above all else, Melvin cherished his family. He made sure those he loved always knew how much they meant to him and took a genuine interest in their lives, always eager to hear what they had been doing. His kindness, steady presence, generous heart, and unwavering love will be deeply missed by all who knew him. 

Melvin is survived by his beloved wife, Lena Simmons, of the home; his children, Lana Kephart and husband, Pat, of Hoisington, Kansas; Diana Erwin of Medicine Lodge, Kansas; Mike Crawford and wife, Angie, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Kandi Williams and husband, Les, of Medicine Lodge, Kansas. He is also survived by his grandchildren and their families: Krissie Hutchins, Adam Kephart, Heather McLemore, Garret McLemore, Talisha Crawford, and Tori Quinby; twenty-three great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; his sisters, Ann Short and Merrie Wilson; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother Hazel Simmons and stepfather Harold Taylor; his brothers, Earl and Gary Simmons; his granddaughters, Tabitha Crawford and Shanna Fleener; his beloved sidekicks. Chirp the rooster, dogs Jinx and Buddy and cat “CB” Chickenbone. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at Fleener Funeral Home, 514 S. Main St., in Greensburg, Kansas. A funeral service and Celebration of Melvin's Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the Greensburg Community Center, 720 N. Bay Street, Greensburg, Kansas. Graveside services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Browns Grove Cemetery in Burdett, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kitchen Revitalization Fund at Attica Long Term Care Center, in care of the funeral home. 

The Simmons family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff of Attica Long Term Care Center for the exceptional care, compassion, and love they showed Melvin—affectionately known as "Papi"—during the last two years of his life. Their kindness and devotion brought comfort not only to Melvin, but also to his entire family, and for that they will be forever grateful.