Comer, Dr. James Merrill 1926-2012

COMER, CAVENDER, WYLER, HENRY, BELLMAN

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Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:34

Dr James Merrill Comer
BIRTH 4 Apr 1926
Moline, Rock Island County, Illinois, USA
DEATH 17 Jan 2012 (aged 85)
Cornwall, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA
BURIAL
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA
PLOT SECTION 1GB SITE 303
MEMORIAL ID 97750270 · View Source
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MEMORIAL
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OBITUARY: James M. Comer (1926-2012)
James M. Comer, 85 of Cornwall, PA, formerly Edwardsville, died Tuesday, January 17, 2012. Born April 4, 1926 in Moline, IL, Jim was the eldest son of the late Merrill A. Comer and Ruth C. (Cavender) Comer. He was the husband of the late Sarah Linn (Wyler) Comer who died in 1999.

Jim grew up in Bussey, IA and graduated from Bussey High School in 1944. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical and secondary education from Simpson College, Indianola, IA in 1948; a Master of Arts from the State University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA in 1953 and a Special Education Certificate from Drake University, Des Moines, IA in 1962. Jim taught English, History, coached high school sports primarily girls' basketball and held administrative positions in the Mitchellville, Bussey, Knoxville and JASPER County IA school systems from 1948 to 1964.

In 1965 he received a Doctorate in Education from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. Jim taught in the School of Education and held administrative positions at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL from 1965 until his retirement in 1990. He served on the Board of Trustees of McKendree University, Lebanon, IL from 1977 to 1996. Jim was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity, Beta Alpha Chapter, Simpson College, Indianola, IA; Integrity Masonic Lodge #584, Bussey, IA M.W. GrandLodge of Iowa, A.F. & A.M.; Lewis and Clark Society of America,Hartford, IL; The University of Iowa Alumni Association, Iowa City, IA and Rotary International Edwardsville, IL Club. He was of the Methodist faith. Jim enjoyed traveling and watching sports specifically the McKendree University Bearcats, University of Iowa Hawkeyes, Oklahoma State University Cowboys and St Louis Cardinals and Rams.

Jim is survived by a daughter Nancy L. and husband Lloyd W. Henry of Lancaster, PA; grandson Brandon J. Henry of Baltimore, MD; sister Joanne and husband Robert Bellman of Dublin, VA; brother Steven and wife Joyce Comer of Clive, IA, six cousins, three nieces and six nephews.

A Memorial Service with Rev Robert Edwards officiating will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home, 304 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL at 11 am. Interment will be at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim's name may be made to McKendree University 701 College Road, Lebanon, IL 62254.

Family Members

Parents
Merrill Anthony Comer
1899–1975

Ruth Caroline Cavender Comer
1904–2000

Spouse

Sarah Linn Wyler Comer
1924–1999 (m. 1950)

Siblings

Joanne Ruth Comer Bellman
1927–2014

Gravesite Details HUSBAND OF COMER, SARAH LINN
Flowers ~ Find a Grave and Des Moines (IA) Tribune 29 Jan 2012.