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Meyer's Malarkey

The late John riddle, Marion County's last surviving foot soldier of M Company, World War I, was a highly successful professional engineer who accomplished great things for the hometown community he loved.

When I was young and new in town, John and his lovely wife, Mildred, were kind. They offered sage advice and kept me headed in the proper direction.

John said newcomers are welcome in Marion, and fully accepted. But those who've lived here for decades, especially if they've become successful, are looked upon with disdain. Don't be successful or you'll lose many of your friends, he cautioned. So, I've spent my career striving not to achieve success. In Marion they either like you or hate you. The ratio is usually about 1:10.

John also advised, "Don't ever retire." He believed that a person should keep busy as long as possible.

Though John's advice was good, I didn't follow it. Now that I'm retired and have nothing to do, it takes me all day to do it. At the end of the day, looking back over what I left undone, brings some sort of solace.

As retired lawyer/friend Dean Batt commented, "I fell asleep and didn't awaken in time for my afternoon nap."

The one shining event of each day is the 9 a.m. coffee break at the drug store. The ranks are growing thin, however, with three deaths during the past few months: Dentist Elmer Schroeder and farmer friends Roy Hett and Bob Wegerer. They were good men and the world is better because of them.

Another good friend, who's pushing the years but remains active, is rancher Pat Sauble of Cedar Point. If you missed Roy Wenzl's extended stories about Pat in this week's Wichita Eagle, find them and enjoy. It's a great story about a great guy and the photos by Travis Heying are outstanding. Don't miss this well deserved recognition of one who has been successful and remains respected.

— BILL MEYER

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