Kenneth J. Simecek

Kenneth (Ken) J. Simecek, 83, of Elyria passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2022, after a lengthy illness that he bravely battled and never gave up fighting.

Ken’s family is honored to share some facts about Ken that show just how special he was. Ken loved being around all his family and going to any family function there was. He was a huge Cleveland sports fanatic and would often watch a ball game on the television and listen to the radio at the same time to hear a different game being played.

Ken was born on December 5, 1938 in Cleveland. He attended Brooklyn High School and graduated in 1957. Ken was active in many sports in school and loved to talk about the time Elvis Presley came to his school to preform but Ken had to miss it due to having his appendix removed. Elvis was one of his favorite singers and he was able to listen to him as he transitioned from being with us to going to be with the loved ones that left before him.

Ken was the youngest son born to the late Thomas Simecek Sr., and Mildred (Miller) Simecek. He grew up with his two outgoing brothers, the late Thomas Simecek Jr. and Ronald Simecek. We often got to hear the wild adventures these three had together.

On September 30, 1961, Ken married Ann (Khoury). He was fortunate that he lived next door to Ann’s sister and brother-in-law because he would see Ann walking home from school and cut through her sister’s yard. He worked up the courage to ask her out and the rest is history. Ann and Ken had three daughters, the late Renee Swanson, Leslie Denman and Kimberly (Tim) Carter. Ken loved to jokingly call his son-in-law, Tim, his father because Tim took Ken to many of his medical appointments and would give the doctors all the information that Ken, either forgot or did not want to tell them, because he was not following doctor’s orders by eating what he wasn’t supposed to.

Ken was blessed with 5 grandchildren. Nichole (Bellottie), who made him grandpa for the first time and got him trained to be the best gramps to the others. Emalee (Michael) Enos, who he got to walk down the aisle with to his favorite Elvis song. Tyler Carter, who was his partner in crime. They were known as Sandford and Grandson. Danielle Swanson, who was his Dani-girl and was proud to tell every nurse he saw that his granddaughter is also a nurse. Derek Swanson, boy, did grandpa love to go to all his sporting events. Unfortunately, Ken often got so “passionate” that he would be warned to ease up or he would have to leave. A true Simecek’s passion for sports.

Ken had 3 great grandchildren. Madyson Bellottie, Ken never missed one of her programs. Mikcale Bellottie, Ken was his #1 football fan and went to all his games. Sloan Enos, who Ken made sure he tagged as “That’s my great-grandson” on every Facebook picture posted.

Besides his parents, brothers and his daughter, Renee, Ken was preceded in death by many of his brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law and two of his nephews.

There will be a service for Ken at THE RIPEPI FUNERAL HOME, 5762 PEARL RD. (AT SNOW RD.) on Sunday, June 12th from 1-4. In honor of all Ken’s love of Cleveland sports, our family, and Ken, would enjoy if you wore a sport’s shirt of your liking, if you wish.