Tuesday, March 5, 2024 | 10:30 AM

James "Jim" Thomas Meares, 82, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2024, at Benedictine Living in Shakopee, MN. He was born on February 6, 1942, in Chicago, to James and Ethel Meares. Jim grew up in the Village of Evergreen Park, attending St. Bernadette Catholic School and was later part of the first graduating class of Brother Rice High School in Chicago. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1967. Afterwards, he served in the United States Army from September 1967 to September 1969 as the Chaplain's Assistant at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Jim married Geraldine (Gerry) Wagner on November 29, 1969, in Chicago. They had four children together, Jamie, Maggie, Trina and Mike.

Jim was a proud longtime resident of Eureka, IL, where he served as Alderman of Ward IV for 26 years and was a founding member of St. Luke's Catholic Church. He worked at Caterpillar for over 30 years where he enjoyed working with people all over the world. Jim loved spending time with his family, golfing and camping. He enjoyed traveling in retirement with his wife Gerry. Jim always had the ability to make people laugh with his dry and witty sense of humor.

Jim is survived by his wife Gerry; children Jamie (Mike) Pohl, Maggie (Juan) Delgado, Trina (Joby) Brown, Mike (Katie) Meares; sisters Mary Kay (the late Richard) Ring, Ann (Ed) Conroy, brothers-in-law Clare ( the late Kathy) Wagner, Russ (the late Mary) Wagner, Dave (Sandy) Wagner, Jim (Michele) Wagner, and sister-in-law Lorrie Roddy, his nine grandchildren; Alex, Gretchen, Ethan, Audrey, Caitlin, Sebastian, Avery, Benjamin and Eli, as well as many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his father James, mother Ethel (nee Quinlan), stepfather Arthur Stortz, parent in laws Clarence and Teresa, brother-in-law Richard Ring and sisters-in-law Kathy and Mary Wagner.

Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at Our Lady of Grace in Edina, MN at 10:30 AM. Visitation will be one hour prior and there will be a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Library Service for the Blind.