John Meriwether

Life long Peninsula resident John W. Meriwether, 74, died June 10, 2007 at his Long Beach residence. The son of pioneer residents Eugene and Hattie (Kroll) Meriwether, he was born August 23, 1932 at the old hospital in Seaview. He grew up in Long Beach where he attended elementary school. John played varsity football at Ilwaco High School where he was a member of the graduating class of 1950. Following high school John served two years with the US Army, stationed in Korea. Returning home he worked in the woods with his father and uncle before becoming a commercial fisherman. He fished out of Ilwaco for 30 years. He then went to work for the Port of the Peninsula in Nahcotta where he was dock supervisor for 10 years. Retirement found John remodeling houses and assisting his friend Les Swensen with various projects. For many years John enjoyed morning coffee, visiting and solving the world's problems at Cottage Bakery in Long Beach. During the past few years he volunteered filling food boxes for FISH. After making his living on the water for many years, John renovated an old boat and renewed his love of fishing during retirement. John and Nancy Boyd were married July 15, 1955 in Long Beach. She survives as do sons James, David, Michael (wife Nancy) Meriwether, all of Long Beach; brother Allen Meriwether and wife Sylvia of Portland; granddaughter Jeanna Russell; and extended family members Curt and Mindy Rietz and their children Nate, Keith, Morgan and Craig. His brother Robert died earlier. During his final illness, John was honored that so many friends and neighbors visited and he wished that to be his final farewell. Memorials in his memory may be made to FISH in care of Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. Please sign the guestbook at www.penttilaschapel.com.