James Gregory "Jim" Mehegan Obituary (1939

James Gregory "Jim" Mehegan, 78, of Linville, passed away on Monday April 30, 2018 at the home of his son, Charles. Mr. Mehegan was born on December 1, 1939 in Lenoir, NC and was a son of the late Charles and Margaret Ellen (Coleman) Mehegan. He spent his early childhood living in the family home place called Homeacres. The family later moved to Petersburg, Virginia, after the death of his father in 1946, where he lived until he joined the United States Marine Corps. He served with the Third Battalion First Infantry Reserve Unit. In his working career, Jim worked for Kraft Foods where he achieved many awards. He started the family chicken farm in 1973. He worked at Rockingham Memorial Hospital as a security guard, and then the Maintenance Department. He later started Edom Engines, the small engine repair shop that was his pride and joy. Jim was a civil war buff who had a vast knowledge of the war. Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend to many who will greatly miss him. On September 8, 1962, he married the former Mary Virginia Beard who preceded him in death on January 12, 2009. Jim is survived by his two sons, David Owen Mehegan Sr., and wife Sylvia of Linville, Charles Daniel Mehegan and wife Vanessa of Harrisonburg; grandchildren, Rebekah Marafino, Ruth Clark, Rachel Visser, David Mehegan, Jr., Phillip Mehegan, Isaac Mehegan, Carlo Mehegan, Francesca Mehegan, and Julia Mehegan; great-grandchildren, Ella Clark, Adeline Clark, Cora Clark; a niece Kelly Melly and husband Michael and family of Boston, MA; his beloved Jack Russell Buster; and the Marine Lunch Bunch. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dr. Charles Mehegan. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 4, 2018 at 10 am at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Father Silvio Kaberia officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at Lindale Mennonite Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 7 until 8 PM at the McMullen Funeral Home. Friends may also call at the funeral home any time after 12 noon Thursday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorial contributions be made to the St. Joseph's Indian School, P.O. Box 1000, Chamberlain, SD 57325-0100; or to Catholic Relief Services, 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201-3443. Those wishing may share a memory or an online condolence by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com Arrangements entrusted to the McMullen Funeral Home, Harrisonburg, VA. 540.833.2891