James E. Meese

James Edward Meese, 78, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 5, 2021, after a 2 ½ year battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis, at home attended by his caring wife, Susan. Jim was born December 12, 1942 in Fort Wayne. He was the eldest son of the late Urban J. and Mildred (Suter) Meese. Jim grew up on Penn Ave. the first 21 years of his life. He loved to play ball of any kind, later playing Little League and Pony League. He attended St. Jude School and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1960. He attended Notre Dame University, Saint Francis University and Ball State University. He graduated with honors from Ball State with a degree in Business Administration. He then worked for twenty years in banking in commercial lending and senior bank management. His career took him and family to Columbus, IN, Kokomo, IN and South Bend, IN. He earned advanced degrees from University of Oklahoma and University of Wisconsin. The next fifteen years, Jim worked as a Commercial Real Estate Broker serving the South Bend, Mishawaka and Elkhart communities with the Stone Real Estate Group. During his working years and into retirement, Jim loved playing golf and became a low handicap golfer, as well as having many long time relationships with friends through golf. In retirement, Jim and Susie built a home together near their home town of Fort Wayne. They reacquainted with old friends and their neighbors became new friends. They spent cold months in Florida and played golf together and with family members and friends. Jim's favorite teams were: Chicago White Sox, Notre Dame fan of football & basketball, Colts of Indianapolis, Bears of Chicago. Jim's baseball career was playing shortstop and second base. He quit playing at 35 years old. Jim is survived by his wife, Susan (Woodruff) Meese, his daughter, Christie (Brandon) Reinoehl; sons Alex and Casey of Round Rock, TX, his son Brad Meese of Chicago, IL, his brother Daniel Meese of Georgetown, TX, niece Meredith ( Mark) Roberts of Cedar Park, TX, nephews Mark Meese of Austin, TX and Matthew (Lauren) Meese, of Austin, TX, cousin Kathy Clawson and her son Jake (Jerika) Clawson and their three children of Fort Wayne. Jim's previous wife, Cheryl (Jim) Stewart of Mishawaka, IN He leaves a host of extended family and friends. Memorial service will be at 4:00 p.m. Saturday March 6, 2021 at D. 0. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home (1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne), with a gathering from 1-4:00 p.m. Private burial in Lindenwood Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jim's honor may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church or Visiting Nurses/Hospice, or St. Jude Children's Hospital. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.mccombsons.com