Irwin Francis Simon, 65, of Cascade, Iowa passed away, Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque, Iowa.

Friends and relatives of Irwin may call from 2:30 to 8 p.m., Sunday, August 19, 2018 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Cascade, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friends may also call after 9 a.m. Monday, August 20, 2018 at the Reiff Funeral home in Cascade, IA.

Services for Irwin will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 20, 2018 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Cascade, Iowa with Rev. Douglas Loecke Presiding. Burial will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Cascade, Iowa.

He was born November 15, 1952 in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Emmet and Kathleen (Urbain) Simon. He received his education at St. Martin’s Elementary School and Aquin High School. On May 28, 1977 he was united in marriage to Luann Menster at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cascade, IA. He farmed in the rural Cascade area and was a bus driver for the Western Dubuque School District.

Irwin had a great love for baseball and was a great baseball player himself, having being inducted into the Dubuque County Hall of Fame in 2002. He enjoyed many years coaching not only his children but other youth as well. He was also an avid Chicago Cubs fan with one of his greatest memories being that of the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series in 2016. He had such a warm relationship and connection to so many young people, making all of them feel special and they were so special to him. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening, but Irwin’s greatest joy in life was being a Husband, Father and Papa.

He was a member of St. Matthias Parish in Cascade. Irwin was also a member of the Brotherhood of the Great Squirrel Shootout.

He is survived by his wife, Luann “Lou” Simon of Cascade, IA; two children, Shelby (Tim) Kronlage of Dyersville, IA and Kain (Samie) Simon of Cascade, IA; 4 grandchildren, Simon and Scout Kronlage and Aleena Meyers and Snyder Simon; nine siblings, Loras (Mary Ann McGrane) Simon, Matt (Jean) Simon, Lee (Connie) Simon and Tom (Sherry) Simon and Lucy Sutherland all of Cascade, IA, Jeanette (Paul) Kremer of Epworth, IA, Marian (Dave) Armstrong of Livingston, Montana; sisters and brothers -in-law, Judith Simon of Peosta, IA, Robert (Linda) Budden of Petersburg, IA, Steve McElmeel of Lisbon, IA, Bill (Maureen) Menster of Sigourney, IA, Becky (Virg) Duvel of Toddville, IA, Donna Healy of North Liberty, IA, Joanie (Denny) Barnard of Eldora, IA.

He is preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Ray “Rabbit” and Florence Menster, one brother, Merlin E. Simon; two sisters, Marie Budden and Doris McElmeel.

The family would like to thank Sherry Kelchen ARNP, Dr. Engelman and the doctors, nurses and hospital staff at the Mercy Medical Center and Hospice of Dubuque.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com