Rollin Simpson Obituary

Rollin Simpson, 89, passed away on January 19, 2025 at home. He was the ninth of ten children born June 13, 1935 to Raymond and Flora (Bruce) Simpson of Heilman, Indiana.
He received his elementary education in a two-room school at Heilman and his high school education at Selvin, Indiana, graduating in 1952. He furthered his education at Oakland City University, graduating in 1961 with a B.S. degree.
In 1965, he graduated from Indiana State University with a Master of Science degree. He became principal of the Lynnville Elementary/Jr. High School in 1965 and served in that capacity until the end of the school year in 1972.
He was an ordained minister, having served several churches in southwestern Indiana. He loved presenting monologues of biblical characters and singing specials on numerous occasions.
Following his employment of 12 years with the Warrick County School Corp., he went to the Scottish Rite in Evansville, where he served at Executive Secretary for 18 years. He was the first member of his Lynnville lodge to receive the 33rd Degree in Scottish Rite, in 1976 in Milwaukee, WI.
He left the Scottish Rite to become the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana, in Indianapolis. He held that position from 1991-1993.
As a member of the Masonic Fraternity, he was a Past Master of Lynnville Lodge No. 396, in Lynnville. He has been the only member of his lodge to serve as an officer of the Grand Lodge of Indiana.
He was a 50-year-plus member of both Lynnville Lodge No. 396 and Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Indiana Masonic Home Board of Directors for eight years and was the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Indiana to the Grand Lodge of Israel from 1985-1993. He was also an honorary DeMolay.
He conducted the Masonic Memorial services for his lodge for 50 years and was a stand-in for the Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Indiana on numerous occasions.
He served in the U.S. Army Security Agency from 1956-1958. After graduating from the Army Language school in Monterey, CA and Radio Tech. School at Ft. Devens, MA, he served his tour of duty in Alaska.
On May 25th, 2019, he was privileged to be selected to be a part of the Southern Indiana Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. for veterans.
His last ten years of employment were with Lynnville National Bank at the Chandler and Newburgh branches.
He was pre-deceased by brothers Russell, Robert, Ray Earl, Ernest, and Paul and sisters Ruby Inglis, Elsie Webb, and Reba Ambrose.
Especially in later years, Rollin's favorite activity, past-time, and main priority was to spend time with and enjoy being with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Janice (Hopper) Simpson; his son, Rodney of Rockwall, TX; daughters, Lisa Emerson (Bill) of Navarre, FL and Karen Chatmon (Bill) of Evansville; a sister, Mary Alice Harris of Boonville; grandchildren, Jessica Campos and Laurel Lovell; and great-grandchildren, Uriah Campos and Gabriella Campos.
The family would like to thank Bailey and Darian of Compassus Home Health Care for their loving and extraordinary care while assisting Rollin during the last few months.
Pemberton-Bradley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be held from 9-11 AM on Wednesday, January 22 at Mt. Olive General Baptist Church, Heilman and services will follow immediately at 11 AM at Mt. Olive with Rev. Ken Slater officiating. Burial will be in Lynnville Cemetery.
online condolences can be made to www.bradleyscolonialchapel.com
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