Writer Jim Merriam Has Passed Away by Marlene Black

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that one of our Landowner Magazine writers, Mr. Jim Merriam passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2020 following a 22-year battle with cancer. Jim was a passionate writer who joined the Landowner writing team in October 2013. We were happy and fortunate to have him on board as one of our regular columnists and will miss him very much.

Jim lived on a small mule farm near Tara, ON and was a columnist for Sun Media daily newspapers outside metropolitan areas and former managing editor of the Sun Times. He wrote the well-known funny farm column and was a writer and editor a number of times for the newspaper over the course of his career. His Funny Farm column was well-known and well-read. Topics ranged from opinions on newsworthy events and controversial decisions to tales about his farm and beloved mules or lighthearted jokes. He also used the space to promote charitable events that were dear to his heart. He is being remembered as a person who cared deeply for the people of his community. He had a long history of involvement in neighbourhood events, helping local charities and participating in fundraising efforts

Along with his newspaper work, Mr. Merriam served in the community as an auctioneer, master of ceremonies, radio personality and called Bingo during The Sun Times Seniors’ Day at the Salmon Spectacular. His compassion, personal stories, sense of humour, intelligence and the ability to get things done were some of the many comments that reflected people’s memories of Jim.

Mr. Merriam is survived by his wife Mary Ruth, children Kiera, Cathy, Pam and Tyson, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.