Obituary of James Richard Meilstrup

James R. Meilstrup of Stevensville, passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 At the Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph following a lengthy illness. He was born on October 1, 1938 in Dearborn, Michigan. On December 15, 1962 Jim married Marie Bylsma at a ceremony in Grand Rapids, MI. After graduating high school, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he went through the Navy nuclear training and eventually served as a submariner. After twenty years of faithful service, Jim retired as a Senior Chief Petty officer and left the service and obtained a Senior Reactor Operator license. He worked for several years in the Nuclear Power business. He retired to the Upper Peninsula where he and Marie purchased an 8 unit motel they named the Seagull Inn located in Garden Corners, MI. Jim and Marie operated the motel for 12 years before moving to the warmer climate of Lake Wales, Florida. Jim and Marie also enjoyed traveling and spent many years in Wisconsin, Michigan and Florida. Jim was also a talented musician and entertained many through the years with his guitar and banjo. Jim was also known to be able to fix just about anything. Throughout his life, Jim loved being around the water and owned several boats over the years but his favorite was his houseboat that he fixed up and kept in the channel at their house in Lake Wales, Florida. Jim was preceded in death by his mother Isabelle (Berdulis) Meilstrup. He is survived by his wife Marie of 47 years of Stevensville, MI, his father Whitney(Rose)Meilstrup of Winter Haven, FL. four daughters; Kim(Jim)Locke of Two Rivers, WI., Linda Tincher of South Haven MI., Marcella Meilstrup of Two Rivers, WI. and Suzanne Meilstrup of Oak Creek, WI., two sons; James R.(Cathy) Meilstrup II of Coopersville, MI. and Paul(Debbie)Meilstrup of Stevensville MI. and eleven grandchildren, brother Bruce(Margaret)Meilstrup of Charlotte, MI., and two sisters June (Jack) Pokora of Caledonia, MI. and Sandy(Louie)Cote of Greenville, MI. The family will be having a time of remembrance at the home of his son at a later time to be determined.