Ruth and Van Dewitt Simmons Scholarship Endowment

Van Dewitt Simmons was born in Ohio and moved to Bay City in 1936. He married the former Ruth Knepp, daughter of Wallace R. and Edith Knepp, one of Michigan’s outstanding retail store families. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons owned and operated Simmons Jewelers in Downtown Bay City for many years. Mr. Simmons served on the “Committee of 300”, considered to be founders of Delta College. Two of the couple’s daughters – Maryetta Nelsen and Kaye Barcia – both graduated from Bay City Junior College (Delta’s forerunner).