Myers, Ray 1890-1988

MYERS, GREGSON, PAUL, BLACKMORE, STULL, PETERSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 2/15/2014 at 16:19:06

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Jan. 5, 1989

RAY MYERS
RITES ARE HELD

Ray Myers, 98, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, at Grinnell General Hospital.

Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Raleigh Gordon, interim pastor, officiating. Organist was Edward H. Bohstedt, and pallbearers were Frank Brown, Donovan Evans, Jerry Grosenbach, Shelby Burkett, Roger Osborn, Ronald Osborn and Jim Saunders.

Burial was in Hazelwood Cemetery, with graveside rites conducted by the Grinnell Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

The son of James Smith and Solissa Austella Gregson Myers, he was born May 14, 1890, near Montezuma. He graduated from Grinnell High School in 1910 and received his degree in music from Grinnell College.

During World War I he served as a second lieutenant and pilot in the Army Air Service. Mr. Myers was a member of the Grinnell Volunteer Fire Department from 1910 to 1917. He was also a member of the American Legion, the Elks and Pythian lodges, and the oldest member of the First Baptist Church.

In 1985 he donated much of his property to the city for development of Miller Park. Mr. Myers had worked for many years as a postal clerk at the Grinnell Post Office. Following his retirement he worked in a similar capacity at Grinnell College.

He married Mona Irene Paul May 4, 1918, and the couple had two children.

Surviving are a son, Paul G. of Rockford, Ill.; one daughter, Ramona M. Blackmore of Grand Island, N.Y.; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Cheryl, in 1985; his parents; three brothers, Cecil, Amos and Weaver; and two sisters, Amy Stull and Hazel Peterson.

Memorials in Mr. Myers's name may be made to the Grinnell Senior center nutritional site.