Obituary of Vangela Simon

Vangela "Van" Klapsinos Simon Vangela "Van" Klapsinos Simon, age 87, of Millcreek Twp. and Ft. Lauderdale, FL passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Orthodox Good Friday, May 3, 2013 at Millcreek Manor. She was born on February 10, 1926 the daughter of the late, George and Angelico Vernardos Klapsinos. She was a graduate of East High School. In 1947, she married her beloved husband, Jerry. Together they built a wonderful family life. Her great joy was following their sons' tennis careers and was honored when they were recognized as Western Pennsylvania "Tennis Family of the Year 1975". Simon Building Products was established in 1973. It was a family business and Van worked there with her husband and subsequently all her sons. Enjoying her rich religious heritage she was a very active member of The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. For 50 years she sang in the church choir, was a member of Philoptochos, (the Ladies Greek Auxiliary), and was named Mother of the Year in 1994. She was also a member of St. Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church in Ft. Lauderdale. Van loved playing bingo, cards, casino visits, and traveling world-wide; especially to her family homeland on the Isle of Crete in Greece. She is survived by her husband of sixty-five years, Jerome "Jerry" Simon, her children: Jerome F. Simon (Lois), of Fairview and their children, Nicholas and Christopher, Michael J. Simon, of Millcreek and his children; Dena Oliver (Tom) and their son, Jaydon, Jamie Simon, and Paul E. Simon (Denise), of Fairview and their children; Matthew, Alexander, and Meghan Simon. Also surviving are four sisters: Mary Ungerman, of Erie, Helen Pappas (Nick), of Erie, Irene Harpst (Ronald) of Middleburg Hts., OH, Stella Athans (John) of Seattle, WA, one brother, Marko Klapsinos (Lee) of Millcreek, and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Monday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Trisagion Service will be held at the funeral home Monday at 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 4376 West Lake Rd. on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Theofanis Nacopoulos officiating. Interment will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. Enhance your memorial with a slideshow and video