James Edward Meyer

James E. "Jim" Meyer, 89 of Somonauk went home to the Lord on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. He was born January 29, 1934 in Leland, the son of Louis C. and Viola C. (Erickson) Meyer. He married Gertrude Anne Peckman on August 8, 1953 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Somonauk where he was a lifelong member, and where he served as an Altar Boy, Usher, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and Parish Council Member over the years. Jim grew up on the farm where he was born, known as Maplewood Farm, with his parents, four brothers and five sisters. And, it was there that he and his bride Gert, in a little farmhouse across the lane from his parents, first set up housekeeping and started their family. A story teller by nature, he loved to share stories with his children of life growing up on the farm following the depression and attending the one-room country schoolhouse known as the Coultrip School with his siblings. He would tell how they would walk a mile and a half to school each day; "uphill both ways." After graduating from Somonauk High School in 1951, Jim went on to receive his diploma from the Reisch American School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa and began a 55- year long career as an Auctioneer, in DeKalb, LaSalle, Kendall, Kane and surrounding counties, fulfilling a childhood dream. Jim was also owner of Meyer Lumber and Building Supplies in Somonauk for 50 years, assisted there by his brother Dick Meyer, and he was a Licensed Realtor and Appraiser. Committed to his community, Jim belonged to several local organizations over the years serving as a volunteer fireman on the Somonauk Fire Department, a member of the Somonauk Village Board, where he was the Mayor of Somonauk from 1963 thru 1971, and the Somonauk Business Association. He was a "lifetime" member of the Somonauk Lions Club, serving as President for a term, and was honored to be a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award. Jim also served a term on the Somonauk CUSD School Board, was a member of the Sandwich Moose Lodge, The Catholic Order of Foresters, and he was one of the founding members of the DeKalb County Community Foundation. A lover of history, and known as a "local historian" by many in his community, Jim enjoyed spending his spare time in retirement at the Olmstead Memorial Museum, where he was a volunteer to open- up for the area school children, families, and fellow history buffs to peruse the antiques, artifacts and newspaper articles of days gone by. Most of all Jim was a family man who loved spending time and sharing meals with his children and grandchildren, playing cards or watching baseball and following in their activities wherever and whenever he could. He is already missed. Jim is survived by his loving wife of nearly 70 years, Gertrude; four devoted children, Susan (Dennis) Wiley, Sandra (Jeffrey) Jelm, Timothy (Colleen) Meyer, and Melinda (Chris) Wegener; his eight grandchildren, and his biggest fans, who loved to hear Grandpa Jim's "stories" laced with his humor; Christina (Matt) Pierce, Hilary (Jason) Zaleski, Megan (Matt) Gotsch, Erin (Joe) Hetland, Caitlin (Matt) Brown, Jacob (Alexandra) Wegener, Justin (Brittney) Wegener, and Collin (Haley Bonnet) Wegener; nine great grandchildren; Emmerson, Hudson and Landon Pierce, Paxton and Rory Wegener, Henry and Hallie Wegener, Norah and Theodore Hetland, with two more expected in October. Also, surviving is his brother, Richard D. Meyer and sister-in-law, Barbara L. Meyer, and a host of nieces and nephews who knew him as Uncle Jim. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son Michael E. Meyer; five sisters, Virginia (Harold) Miller, Gertrude (Oscar) Huber, Mildred Meyer, Eleanor (Al) Salisbury, Dorothy (Bob) Adrian; three brothers, Louis C. Jr. (Audrey) Meyer, Robert (Mary) Meyer, and Harold Meyer, and a sister-in-law, Marjorie Meyer. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Somonauk with Father Kevin Butler officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023 at Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Somonauk, IL, with The Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be private at St. John Catholic cemetery in Somonauk. Memorials may be directed to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, The Olmstead Memorial Museum, or to the charity of one's choice. For more information or to sign the online guest book, go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com. The family would like to thank the caregivers who came into our lives with their kindness and compassion for us all.