*In Journal Star of Peoria, Illinois(photo included) on Dec. 5, 2009 * *MELVIN E. "JIM" BOYER SR. MACKINAW *- Melvin E. "Jim" Boyer Sr., 86, of Eureka, formerly of Mackinaw, died at 1:47 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, at the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka. He was born March 4, 1923, in McLeansboro, Ill., to Ralph and Mae (Wheeler) Boyer. Jim left McLeansboro at the age of 14 to join the Civilian Conservation Corps. He later became a horse breaker and jockey before joining the Army Air Forces during World War II. He last served with the 791st Bomb Squadron and attained the rank of technical sergeant. After leaving the military, he worked for Sealtest Foods, starting out as a milkman and last was a zone manager. While at Sealtest, he won the Sealtest Division Presidents Cup in 1966. After retiring, he worked for the Mackinaw Township and Standard Oil before farming his family farm. Jim married Mary Lou Greer on June 23, 1948, in Morganfield, Ky., and had five children, Edd (Vivian) Boyer of Lake Mills, Wis., Pat (Linda) Boyer of DePere, Wis., Rebecca (John) Magarity of Mackinaw, Don (Karen) Boyer of East Peoria. He also leaves behind 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Wilma Biggerstaff of East Peoria and Audrey Oysten of Corona, Calif. His wife; parents; son, Michael; and brother, Charles Boyer, preceded him in death. He was of the Christian faith. He was a 32nd degree Shriner and patrolman. The family of Jim would like to express their thanks to the loving and caring staff at Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, at New Castle Bible Church in Mackinaw, with Pastor Ralph Bauer officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Ludwig Mortuary in Morton, and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Monday at New Castle Bible Church in Mackinaw. Burial will be in the Mackinaw Township Cemetery, where military services will be conducted by the Air Force and Tazewell Military Rites Team. Memorials may be made to New Castle Bible Church, 17931 Dee-Mack Road, Mackinaw, IL 61755. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.ludwigmortuary.com <http://www.ludwigmortuary.com>.