After a well lived and traveled 102 years Josephine Myers long time Fillmore resident passed from this life peacefully on Saturday April the 8. Josephine was born December 3, 1920, in Nogales, Arizona, to John and Gertrude Schleimer. She was the oldest of three children. Shortly after Josephine was born, the family moved to Los Angeles and eventually to her beloved Fillmore where she lived for 90 years.
Josephine first visited the Fillmore area when she was 7 years old, her grandfather owned a walnut orchard in lower Bardsdale, and the family spent many weekends and summers at the ranch.
In 1932 the family, Josephine, her mother and her two brothers moved to the Bardsdale area full time. Josephine graduated from Bardsdale Grammar School where she met many lifelong friends. She attended both Fillmore Jr and Senior High Schools graduating with the class of 1939. She often tells of riding her horse from Bardsdale, tying it up behind Corio’s Café and then going to school or the show. There was always a dozen or more horses tied up there.
Shortly after graduation she married life-long Fillmore resident Aaron Myers to whom she was married to for 47 loving years. They had one child Don Myers.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years Aaron, her parents John Leonard Schleimer and Pearl Gertrude (Strider) Schleimer, Brother, long time Fillmore resident, Jack Schleimer, Daughter-in-law Sharon, two great grand babies Elise Goertz and Hanna Swafford and her beloved companion of 27 years Dick Schmittou, whom all the family affectionately referred to as Grampa Dick.
Josephine loved her blended and extended family. She is survived by her son Don and wife Karen Myers of Wilmington N.C., brother Jim and wife Nicki Schleimer of Goodyear, Arizona.
4 Grand Children, Paul and wife Kathy of Denver CO, Nicki and husband Greg of Surf City NC, Kelly of San Diego CA, and Jill and husband Don of Holly Ridge NC.
7 Great Grand Kids all of whom referred to her as Big Gramma. Morgan and husband Jeff of Lacy WA, Michael of Houston TX, Brittney of Raleigh NC, Kayla, and husband Tino of Denver CO, their son, her Great-Great Grandson Trenton, Cameron of Parker CO, Garrett of Charlotte NC, and Emma of San Diego CA.
15 Nieces and Nephews and 31 Grand Nieces and Nephews.
Josephine loved to travel and had many traveling partners, first husband Aaron, Velma Goddard, Natalie Hawthorn and Richard Pyle, her daughter-in-law Karen and finally for the last 27 years with Grampa Dick. Josephine has traveled in all 50 of the United States, 6 of Canadas 10 Providences, most of the Caribbean Islands, parts of Mexico and 9 European Countries.
Josephine was a lifetime member of the Order of the Easter Star, a Masonic organization, in the 70’s she received her 50-year pin. She along with Aaron were active in the Fillmore Dance club, she enjoyed the Ventura County Garden Club, was a member of the Fillmore Ebell Club, a charter member of Fillmore member Potluck Group, (no name no rules, just fun), and a very proud member of the Fillmore High Alumni Association (she missed very few of the annual banquets).
Josephine started working after son Don started school. First, working for her mother catering all over Ventura County, then for Orin Eberly in his Drug Store and ended her career working at the cafeteria at San Cayetano Grammar School. Working there 24 years and retiring when she was 75 years old. She said many times, she knew it was time to retire, when she realized she was serving children of the children she was serving when she first started at the school.
Josephine was happiest when she was with family and friends, whether it was traveling, holiday gatherings or just family gatherings. She must have some 60 plus picture albums of her travels and family gatherings all taken with her ever present instamatic disposable cameras. She was always asking to have pictures taken of her with the Grand and Great Grandchildren. There was no place she’d rather be than with her family.
Josephine’s family would like to extend the deepest appreciation to her Girls who affectionately cared for her daily for the past 3 years: Liz Moten, Norma Vasquez, Delphie Manez, CiCi Chaveste, Delia Larios, Mary Garcia and Kelly Gomez.
And a special thanks to Assisted Hospice Care of Ventura.
Services will be held Friday, May 5th at 11:00am at the Trinity Episcopal Church at 600 Saratoga St Fillmore. The Rev. Lawrence M. Brown, Rector presiding. There will be no public viewing.
Immediately after the service a celebration of Josephine’s life will be held at the Fillmore Museum, 350 Main St., Fillmore. All are welcome, please join the family and celebrate.
It was Josephine’s wishes that any memorial contributions be made to Fillmore Alumni Association, or to Shriners Hospital for Children.
Arrangements will be under the Direction of Perez Family Funeral Home of Camarillo.
Interment will be private at the Bardsdale Cemetery.
Should there be any question they should be directed to: jillshadwell1@gmail.com.