James Melvin Eller

On Friday, August 23, 2024, James M Eller went to meet his beloved wife Joann in their Heavenly home. He was born May 7, 1935 in Speed, Kansas the son of James and Doris Eller. Jim grew up in Kirwin, Kansas and graduated from Kirwin High School. Following graduation he joined the Army during the Korean War and worked on guided missles. After his enlistment he returned home to Kirwin and on November 25, 1956 he married Joann Crawford in Gaylord at the Nazarene Church. Soon after they moved to Hays, KS where he attended Fort Hays State University and attained a Bachelor's of Science degree in Education. He returned to Kirwin to begin his teaching career for 2 years followed by 2 years in Long Island, KS. During those years he taught PE and English and coached football, basketball, and baseball and directed school plays. In the summer of 1967 he and Joann moved to Sylvan Grove, KS. It was the first year of the new Sylvan Unified School district and the first year in the "new" school. Jim taught various subjects over the years including English, Science, PE and was always willing to take on any position that was needed at the school either as a teacher, coach or sponsor. Some of those included track, basketball, speech and school plays. In the 1972-73 school year he became the first girl's basketball coach at Sylvan Unified High School, leading the team to winning seasons. He went back to FHSU to earn his MS in High School Counseling, adding that to his duties at SUHS. During the summers he built Butler Buildings, worked at the Sylvan Elevator or helped farmers in the fields. Jim was instrumental is starting the Girl's Quivira Softball league and coached the team from Sylvan for many years. He retired from teaching in 1996 but continued to substitute teach for many years and later volunteered in the lunchroom serving lunches at the high school until he was into his 80s. Eduction was something that he loved and he passed that on to the next 2 generations of his family. His 3 daughters and several grandchildren have followed in his footsteps. When Jim and Joann moved to Sylvan Grove, they found a place to call home for over 50 years.
Jim was full of fun and had a quick wit, often ready with a joke and was quick to laughter. He was the best example of a girl Dad, encouraging independence in his daughters and leading by example of how to treat people with kindness, to always have love in your heart, and to never judge or hate. Jim was a much loved teacher, counselor, and coach, showing compassion and acceptance to his students. Sports were always very important to Jim, he was a talented player and successful coach. He instilled the love of sports to his daughters and supported all of their activites and those of his grandchildren. He and Joann were affectionately known and Grandad Jim and Grandma Jo to students at Chase and Lucas where their grandchildren attended school and participated in many sports and activities. They were a constant at games and their presence meant the world to their grandchildren.
The Sylvan Presbyterian Church was especially important to Jim and he often filled the pulpit and was a very active and faithful member in all church activities. His deep faith and abiding love of Jesus was the code he lived by and the foundation that he laid for his family. His legacy will live on in the lives of those he touched as a teacher, church leader, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Jim is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, following her to Heaven after a short 12 weeks without her here on Earth. He is survived by his three daughters, Sheree Poskey and husband Mitch of Lawrence, KS, Kristi Mettlen and husband Wes of Lucas, KS, and Heidi Gillespie of Chase, KS; ten grandchildren Shane Mettlen and wife Jennifer, Clay Mettlen and wife Stephanie, Christopher Poskey and wife Sara, Sara (Mettlen) Smith and husband Chris, Jordan Poskey and wife Jeni, CJ Mettlen and wife Lindsay, Jamie Gillespie, Chelsee Poskey, Sierra Gillespie, and Breahna (Gillespie) Crawford and husband Jordan; and 21 (soon to be 22) great grandchildren.