James Eugene Meier, age 83, passed away January 28, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving daughters. Jim was born in 1940 to Eugene Meier and Rita Stoy in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He and his mother moved to Colorado Springs, Colo. where Jim grew up amongst the Rocky Mountains and the Aspens. He always loved the mountains and had plenty of stories about his years in Colorado. He was raised by his mother and beloved grandmother. After high school, he joined the United States Navy. He was in the Navy from 1959-1963. He was a very proud member of the Navy for his entire life. After his time in the Navy, he came back to Scott Air Force Base to visit his mother one last time before moving to San Diego. It was during this visit that he met the love of his life, Judith Canterbury. He and Judy got married in 1966 and lived in O'Fallon for the rest of their lives. They were married for 49 years and had three girls: Susan (Doug) Thomas, Julie Meier (Todd Stone) and Christianne (Lee) Judy.

He was preceded in death by his wife Judy, which was totally devastating to him. He has two brothers-in-law that he annoyed, I mean, enjoyed having in his life: David (Debbie) Canterbury of Fairview Heights and Bob (Deborah) Canterbury of Canada. He has a niece and a nephew that are very special to him as well: Jennifer (Todd Martin) Canterbury and Dylan (Janette) Canterbury. He has four grandchildren, Jeremy (Samantha) Phillips, Joshua Mol, Jackson Judy and Anderson Judy. He also leaves behind his very special friends MaryBeth and Richie Gorazd. Although he lived his entire life as an only child, he was recently blessed to have met his half-sister Cathy (Frank) Clementz of Lima, Ohio.

Jim worked very hard his entire life for his family. He was a truck driver for years delivering goods around St. Louis City, fighting the traffic day after day. He then worked at the St. Clair County Courthouse for the last 15 years, up until December of this past year. Jim was an avid storyteller and superb joke teller. He was the life of any party he was at. Whether that was telling a great (possibly embellished and inappropriate) story or wearing a unique outfit or hat, Jim always made people laugh. He loved to cook for his family and was always trying out a new recipe for them. He was also quite an inventor. He had countless ideas and plans, many of which were well thought-out and executed, and others a bit 'hair brained!' Jim was a one of kind man, friend, father-in-law, father, husband and grandfather. They broke the mold - there will never be another Jim Meier. Thanks for all the memories. Cheers!

Jim died at home surrounded by his family and friends. The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice for their compassion and care for Jim and their family during a very difficult time. The family would also like to thank MaryBeth Gorazd for her steadfast support during Jim's dying process. The family cannot thank her enough for all she did.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Paralyzed Veterans of America or to Heartland Hospice.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 – 11:30 am, Friday, February 2, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 901 N. Alton St., Lebanon, Ill. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:30 am, at the church, with Msgr. William J. Hitpas presiding. Burial with military honors will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill.