James Meylor

James N. “Jim” Meylor, age 80, of rural Darlington, WI, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at his home. He was born on October 30, 1944, in Shullsburg, WI, the son of William and Prudence (Soper) Meylor. Jim moved to the current family farm when he was 6 months old, where he lived the rest of his life. He graduated from Darlington High School in 1962, then, after spending a year in California, he returned home to the farm—a place he loved and dedicated his entire life. On October 7, 1967, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary L. Steil, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Darlington. Together, they built a beautiful family, raising their 7 children with incredible work ethic, a strong faith in God, and a love of the land.

Jim is survived by his children: Natalie (Rod) Andrae, Anita (Brad) Berget, Patrick (January) Meylor, Bart (Christina) Meylor, Kyle (Felecia) Meylor, and Amanda (Jake) Engelke; his daughter-in-law: Amie (Timmy) O’Brien; his grandchildren: Madeline (Logan) Horky, Nick & Ava Andrae, Brianna (Emmett) Kent, Bailey, Wesley, Alexis, and Lillianna Berget, Michelle (Nicholas) Wagner, Erica, Zack, and Elliot Meylor, Victorria, Isaac, Elizabeth, and Mollianna Meylor, Rawson (Emma) Meylor, Octavia, Calan, and Rella Meylor, Providence, Bexley, Loretta, and Tama Engelke; his great-grandchildren: Stetson and Kaycee Kent, Donald Wagner, Ava Steffes and Beck Meylor, with two more expected in early 2026; one sister: Patricia Rolli; sisters-in-law: Marian Meylor and Linda (Ric) King; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Mary; his son, Joel Meylor; sisters, Lorraine Boyle, Virginia Garrison, and Barb Judkins; and brothers, Barney and Tom Meylor; father and mother in-law: Ike & June Steil.

Jim was a faithful member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Calamine. He was a man of deep faith who instilled those values in his children and grandchildren, never missing a Sunday Mass. He loved old cars and enjoyed collecting them, cheering on the Milwaukee Brewers, planting in the spring, and harvesting in the fall. An avid card player, Jim enjoyed a casual game of euchre—though he didn’t like to lose.

Family was at the center of Jim’s world. He thoroughly cherished time with his children and grandchildren, whether it was traveling to the mountains, sharing cookies and “fat pills” after chores, or enjoying Big Macs from McDonald’s. His back door was always open for anyone to stop in for a treat, a story, or a deal to be made— in Jim’s mind, there wasn’t anything that couldn’t be negotiated. Later in life, he especially enjoyed reading, feeding calves with his grandchildren, mowing the lawns and watching a good John Wayne movie.

Jim will be remembered for his strong faith, his love of farming, his humor, and the deep devotion he had to his family. His legacy will live on in the values he instilled and the memories shared with those he loved.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, September 1, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Calamine, WI, with Fr. Luke Syse and Fr. William Vernon con-celebrating. Burial will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery in Darlington. A visitation will be held Sunday, August 31, 2025, from 3:30 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Congregation of St. Mary & St. Paul Catholic Church in Mineral Point with a rosary being prayed at 3:00 P.M. A visitation will also be held Monday from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Calamine. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.

For those that are unable to attend mass, feel free to meet the family at the farm for lunch and friendly conversation.