By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
24 Comments
  • Visitation

    Sunday, February 9, 2020

    4:00 to 7:00 pm

    Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL;

    Monday, February 10, 2020

    4:00 to 8:00 pm and

    Tuesday, February 11, 2020

    8:00 to 11:00 am,

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Service

    Tuesday, February 11, 2020

    11:00 am

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    James W. “Jim” Meridith, 82, of Highland, IL, died Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at DePaul Hospital, St. Louis, MO, surrounded by his family.

    Jim was born September 3, 1937, to James W. and Eunice (nee Snyder) Meridith in Hutsonville, IL.  On October 14, 1967, he married Mary Lou Keppler, in Stonington, IL.

    Jim served in the U.S. Army during the early 1960’s.  He was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base for 1 l/2 years, and then in Anchorage, Alaska, as a civilian funeral director.

    After returning to civilian life, he moved to Springfield, IL, and started working at Illinois Funeral Directors Association, where he met his wife.  In 1967, he started working at Bisch & Son Funeral Home in Springfield, IL.  In 1976, he purchased the Harris Funeral Home in Highland and changed the name to Meridith Funeral Home in 1978.  In October 1990 he purchased the Meyer Funeral Home in Lebanon, IL, and again in October 2007, he purchased the May Funeral Home in Pocahontas.  The funeral industry was his passion.

    Jim was a former member of the Highland Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge and Shriners.  He served as a Deputy Coroner for Madison County for the last 40 years.  Jim was a true family man.  He never knew a stranger, always very friendly, talkative, and had a unique sense of humor. Jim was very compassionate and empathetic and wanted to help everyone.  He was an avid reader, loved to listen to music and dance.

    Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Mary Lou Meridith, Highland, IL; children, Mary M. (Mark) Tuzik, North Porte, FL, James L. (Denise) Meridith, Highland, IL, Ann B. (Randy) Kleinmann, Highland, IL, John M. (Jill) Meridith, Honolulu, HI, Jennifer A. Hilling, Highland, IL; grandchildren, Cory (Allison) Tuzik, Casey (Aimee) Tuzik, Alex Tuzik, Rosie Tuzik, MacKenzie Kleinmann, Matthew Kleinmann, Meridith Kleinmann, Jake (Marie) Kretlow, Justin (fiance Maddy Cooper) Kretlow, Lucas Hilling, Ava Hilling, Jimmy Meridith, Sophia Meridith, Tyler Deichmann, Emily Deichmann; great grandchildren, Tyler, Caleb, Lucas, Marianna, Gabriel, and Elena Tuzik, Max and Rosie Kretlow; sister-in-law, Rose Keppler; brother-in-law, John Keppler.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Eunice Meridith; sister, Wilma Parrish; son-in-law, Jeremy Hilling; brothers-in-law, Robert Keppler, Louis Keppler; sister-in-law, Ann Keppler.

    Memorials may be made to St. Paul School or Michael J. Fox Foundation, for a Parkinson’s Cure.

    Visitation: Sunday, February 9, 2020, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, at Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL; Monday, February 10, 2020, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, and Tuesday, February 11, 2020, from 8:00 to 11:00 am, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Funeral Service: Tuesday, February 11, 2020, 11:00 am, Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Clergy: Ret’d. Pastor, Rev. Dave Trover

    Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Highland, IL.

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

24 Condolences
 
  1. Gloria Schwarz / February 5, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    So sorry. . God Bless

  2. Bill Camp / February 5, 2020 at 5:32 pm

    To Ann, Jim, John, Jen & Mary Lou,
    I am sorry to hear about Jim’s passing and know he will be missed but rest assured he is in a better place. He always welcomed me into your home, treated me with respect, and was never short of jokes to tell and the world was a better place for having someone like Jim in it.
    Best Wishes,
    Bill Camp

  3. Danielle Delaney-Davis / February 5, 2020 at 7:49 pm

    Rest In Peace good man! Your infectious laugh and amazing ability to tell a good story will be missed!
    Heaven Gained a Good one today!

  4. Don Johannes / February 5, 2020 at 10:48 pm

    Mary Lou, Ann, Jim, John and Jenn,
    We were very sorry to hear about Jim’s death. What a really nice person. He will be missed by all.
    You are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Don and Barb Johannes

  5. Carole Schuepbach / February 6, 2020 at 7:25 am

    I am so sad for all of you. Jim was a special man to many. He was there for me for a couple life-changing events. I can’t forget that. I know he is grinning that legendary grin.
    Rest In Peace, Jim.
    God Bless.
    Carole Schuepbach

  6. Ron Knapp / February 6, 2020 at 3:06 pm

    To see your smiles, in real life and on FB, tells me that Jim left a special mark in your spirit as a family!
    Love & Hugs & Faith,
    Ron Knapp

  7. Dave Trover / February 6, 2020 at 6:54 pm

    Condolences to the family of a wonderful man and a dear friend of mine. He touched the lives of many in their most difficult times. Blessings to his family as they carry on his wonderful legacy of sincere service to others.

  8. Terry & Judy Zeisst / February 6, 2020 at 8:08 pm

    Mary Lou, Ann, Jen, John and Jim. Our prayers go out to your family. Jim, and all of you have always made us feel like a part of your family. When I helped out at the funeral home he always was a teacher to me and so compassionate. He was a wonderful man.
    Love, Judy & Terry Z

  9. Gloria Brown / February 7, 2020 at 6:19 am

    Jim – thinking of you in your time of sorrow. Know that I thought a lot of your Dad as well as you. Will see you soon. Love, Gloria Brown

  10. Kevin and Ellen Limestall / February 7, 2020 at 7:42 am

    Mary Lou, Ann, Jen, John and Jim. Our condolences to you on the passing of Jim. He was a wonderful and special man to many. He will be truly missed.

  11. Pat Korte / February 7, 2020 at 8:05 am

    To Mary Lou, Jim, Ann, Jen, John, Mary Melinda sending lots of prayers and hugs to all of you. What a beautiful family Jim has to live His legency on. Everytime I talked to Jim he always had something wonderful to tell me about when Mom worked for you all. He is looking down with that big smile on his face and saying he’s HOME with The LORD. He will always be watching over his loving family.

    Jim was a wonderful person. Love & Prayers

    Love You All
    Pat & Ray

  12. Peg Vahldieck / February 7, 2020 at 10:56 am

    To Mary Lou and the Meridith family, The world has lost an incredible person with the passing of Jim. He was such an interesting man with always a smile on his face and a good story to tell! I loved discussing history and books with him and he had such keen knowledge on so many different topics. Your family has always been one that I admired whenever I was with you and Jim was certainly the backbone of that family. He and Mary Lou have raised all of their children with care, empathy and a fierce love for one another. I believe his family made him one of the happiest men on earth. He will always be with you!

    Much love and prayers to you all!
    Peg Vahldieck and Bill Hammortree

  13. Barb & Vern Rakers / February 7, 2020 at 1:00 pm

    Mary Lou, Mary, Jim, Ann, Jennifer and John, Sending my love and prayers. What a beautiful family! I remember the good times and how you weathered the storms. God bless!

  14. Janet Nicolaides / February 7, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    To the Meridith Family
    Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Jim never new a stranger. Keep your memories close to your heart and he will live on forever, Love and Hugs to you all.
    Janet Nicolaides

  15. Mary Hellige / February 7, 2020 at 1:44 pm

    To Mary Lou and family. So sorry hear of your loss. Jim was a very special person and so enjoyable to talk to him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  16. Tony Winter / February 7, 2020 at 4:45 pm

    Mary Lou and the Meridith family sorry for loss Jim was always helpful and he was a great man sorry for your loss

  17. June Yann Williams / February 7, 2020 at 7:00 pm

    Prayers to the Meridith Family, may God wrap his loving arms around Jim. He has been my friend for a long time. May he rest in peace. June Yann Williams

  18. Rick and Donna Gruenenfelder / February 7, 2020 at 7:53 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss. Mr. Meridith has helped our family thru many tragedies and always knew the right things to say. We will always remember how he went above his job and visited us even after everything was over with the loss of our daughter. Our prayers and thoughts for the whole family, such a special man.

  19. Denise Byrne / February 7, 2020 at 9:02 pm

    Very, very sorry for the sad news of Jim’s passing. My sympathies to all family and friends. Please know that I’m also sad to be missing everyone at the celebration of Jim’s life this week. Sending my thoughts and prayers with love and warm hugs, Denise B

  20. John and Darlene Hosselton / February 8, 2020 at 8:08 pm

    Jim – our sympathy to you and your family. Cherish your precious memories. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

  21. Stan & Mary Lou Wessel / February 10, 2020 at 9:16 am

    Mary Lou & Family

    We will always remember times spent with Jim as we waited in the St Paul School parking lot for KIm & Jen to return from St Paul basket ball games. He would ask us to join him in the car where he gave his opinion on the topics of the day. May the angels guide him into paradise.

  22. Tony Winter / February 11, 2020 at 10:30 am

    Sorry Meridith family I have the upper respiratory cold I could not the visitation I did not want to spread it Sorry again you And Jim will be missed

  23. Dawn Melcher / February 17, 2020 at 5:14 pm

    Mary, Mark & Family:
    I’m sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

  24. Myrna Boyer / February 25, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    Jim, I was so sorry to hear of your father’s passing.. He was a kind man… You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

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