Jim Meyers

P. James “Jim” Meyers, 82 of Devils Lake, ND died on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Mass of Christian Burial for Jim will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Dale Kinzler will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Lake Region Honor Guard, Camp Grafton. Special Honors will also be accorded by the Devils Lake Fire Department. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home Chapel, Devils Lake on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus. Serving as Casket Bearers for Jim will be Jonathan Whitney, Ian Whitney, Tim Whitney, Rob Whitney, Richard Meyers and Kelly Helgesen. Honorary Bearers will be Bill Rook, Clarence Brekke, Boyd Fudge, Kenneth Koehn, Balzer Kurtz, Jerry McKee, Leo Broden and Walter Broden and all members of the Devils Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Music will be provided by Joyful Noise Reading the Scriptures will be Connie Whitney Gift Bearers will be Stephanie, James and Steven Meyers Peter James was born on April 16, 1926 at Wolford, ND, the son of Joseph and A. Lettie (Traynor) Meyers. Jim was reared and educated in the Devils Lake area and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in the class of 1943. After graduating, Jim worked at the Red and White Grocery Store and also Nodak Rural Electric. In those younger years, he was a middle weight with the Devils Lake Boxing Team and he stilled enjoyed sharing memories of this experience with former team mates. Jim joined the Army National Guard on June 24, 1948. He served as a Supply Technician until accepting a Warrant Officer position June 3, 1966. He retired as an Automotive Repair Technician in charge of the automotive Repair Section with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 on May 30, 1981 after serving over 32 years with the Guard. He received the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Rifle M16 Expert Badge. Jim also served full time with the Army National Guard as a Civil Service Technician, serving in many capacities, retiring from Civil Service as the Supervisor of the United States Property and Fiscal Office, Parts Warehouse Camp Grafton. Jim was united in marriage to Beverly Ann White on February 23, 1957 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake. Jim and Bev would make Devils Lake their home for life, wintering in Apache Wells in Mesa, Arizona. Jim was a life member of the Devils Lake Elks Lodge, Knights of Columbus and Devils Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Jim was a volunteer fireman for 22 years, being actively involved in their activities. He participated in some large and monumental fires in our city during that time. He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing until his health prevented his participation. He then put his energy into his home, yard and flowers and going to his weekly coffee meets with his retired firemen and friends. This was a time he looked forward to. His love was to spend hours with oil paints and canvas, resulting in many paintings that we have all enjoyed. His interest in his children and grandchildren’s achievements and accomplishments were extra ordinary. He was most happy with family and friends around. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Beverly Daughter: Connie Whitney and her husband, Robert Jr. of Devils Lake Son: Richard Meyers and his wife, Stephanie of Idaho Falls, Idaho Grandsons: Jonathan Whitney, Ian Whitney, Timothy Whitney, James Meyers and Steven Meyers; Sister: Colleen Broden and her husband, Walter of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Agnes Bryl and her husband, Ted.