John Myers (1911 - 1966)

Born 28 Jun 1911 in Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail, Minnesota, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Edna Victoria (Lokken) Myers — married 18 Mar 1933 in Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail, Minnesota, United States

Descendants

Died 6 Dec 1966 at age 55 in Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail, Minnesota, United States

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Biography

As Jack was the editor of the Parkers Prairie Independent newspaper at the time of his death, the paper ran an extended article on the front page after his burial^[1]. It included a large amount of information regarding his life and death, which has been used as the main source for the following biography. Other sources will be cited within as references.

John H Myers, better known as Jack, was born in Parkers Prairie on June 28, 1911 to Robert S. and Myrtle M. Myers. He spent his formative years there -- besides the four years the family lived in Wisconsin and Michigan -- and graduated from the local high school in 1930.

After graduation, he worked for his father^[2] at the local newspaper until his marriage to Edna V. Lokken of Folden Township, Minnesota on March 18, 1933 at the First Baptist Parsonage in Parkers Prairie ^[3]. After Jack's father's death in 1934, Jack ran the Independent for a year, before working on newspapers in Foley, Minnesota and Janesville, Minnesota.

Jack, Edna and their family moved back to Parkers Prairie in the fall of 1937 after purchasing the Independent from his mother, of which he was owner, publisher and editor for almost 30 years ^[4] until his death. In that time, besides his work at the Independent, he served his community as a president of the P.T.A., a member of the Parkers Prairie Fire Department, the local school board, and as a member of Lions International. He also belonged to The Minnesota Newspaper Association, the National Editorial ASsociation and the Parkers Prairie Commercial Club.

He died at age 55 of a heart attack, late in the evening of Tuesday, December 6, 1966 at the Parkers Prairie District Hospital ^[5]. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, and brothers Ben and Tom, as well as Mary (Myers) Robbins and a baby sister, Jewel.

He was survived by a large family, including:

• Wife: Edna V. (Lokken) Myers
• Son: John M. of Minneapolis
• Son: Thomas D. of Moorehead
• Daughter: Lunne (Myers) Angell, wife of Russell, of Minneapolis
• Virginia (Myers) Brede, wife of Wesley, of Alexandria
• Victoria Ann Myers, a high school senior ^[6] living at home
• Seven grandchildren
• Brother David Myers of Browerville
• Sister Jenny (Myers) Breed, wife of Charley^[7] of Dana Point, California
• Sister Roberta (Myers) Wagner, wife of Al, of Shelton, Washington
• Sister Beverly Sering, wife of Russell, of Dayton, Ohio

Visitation occurred at the LaMere Funeral Home on Thursday afternoon and evening^[8]. Funeral services for Jack were held at 2pm^[9] on Friday, December 9th at the FIrst Lutheran Church of Parkers Prairie, officiated by Rev. Maynard O. Hunsen. Music was provided by Eber Berquist, organist, and Gene Inwards, soloist. Pallbearers were Ruben Hollatz, Mervin Simonson, Norman Nodsle, Curtis Watt, Milton Mellus and George Larson. Guests were from throughout Minnesota (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Cambridge, Dresbach, Fergus Falls, Henning, Battle Lake, Park Rapids, Browerville, Vining, Roseville, Alexandria, Moorehead) as well as Huron, South Dakota; Shelton, Washington; Dayton, Ohio; and further afield. He was interred at the Parkers Prairie Cemetery.

Sources

1. ↑ Parkers Prairie Independent article
2. ↑ Fergus Falls Daily Journal article
3. ↑ Edna Myers Obituary
4. ↑ Fergus Falls Daily Journal articl
5. ↑ Fergus Falls Daily Journal Article
6. ↑ Fergus Falls Daily Journal article
7. ↑ Fergus Falls Daily Journal article
8. ↑ Fergus Falls Daily Journal article
9. ↑ Henning Advocate article

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75363635/john-myers: accessed June 17, 2024), memorial page for John “Jack” Myers (28 Jun 1911–6 Dec 1966), Find a Grave Memorial ID 75363635, citing Parkers Prairie Cemetery, Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail County, Minnesota, USA; Maintained by ❀ T Burt (contributor 47009168).
• Obituary of Edna Myers Lokken from the Fergus Falls Daily Journal March 8, 2013 as recorded on https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/107051188/edna_victoria-myers: accessed June 17, 2024
• "Jack H. Myers, Editor Laid to Rest Dec. 9" (Extended Obituary and Funeral Notice) from the Parkers Prairie Independent, December 15, 1966 Page 1; accessed via the Otter Tail Historical Society Research Library
• "Parkers Editor Dies Following Heart Attack", Fergus Falls Daily Journal newspaper; Dec 7 1966 p. 14; accessed via the Otter Tail Historical Society Research Library
• "Editor Jack Myers Called" from the Henning Advocate newspaper, Henning, MN, Dec 8, 1966 p.1; accessed via the Otter Tail Historical Society Research Library