James “Jim” Myler Delaney died at Our House Memory Care in Austin, Minnesota, on May 27, 2015, at the age of 93.

He was born June 18, 1921, in East St. Louis, Illinois, to Edward and Loretta (Myler) Delaney. He was one of 10 children. After high school graduation, Jim was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and played a short time with their farm team. He served in the US Army during WWII, participating in the second wave of military landing at Utah Beach. He was awarded the Silver Star during action in France and was one of the first Americans to cross the Seine River in the liberation of Paris.

In 1943, Jim married Florence Klemme of Washington Park, Illinois. Four years later they moved to Austin, when Jim went to work for Hormel Foods Corporation and pursued his passion for baseball by playing with the Austin Packers of the Southern Minny League. Jim also umpired high school and college baseball for many years and coached and mentored American Legion and VFW ball teams. Jim served as a scout for the Baltimore Orioles for many years. He was a long time member of the Austin Eagles Club, American Legion Post No. 91, VFW Post No. 1216, Knights of Columbus and Queen of Angels Catholic Church, where he served as an usher.

Jim is survived by his daughters: Sandra (Ken) Guckeen of Austin, Joan (Jerry) Grimm of Morrison, Illinois; and son: James R. Delaney of Alexandria, Minnesota; five grandchildren: Thomas (Julie) Harber, Susan (Tom) Doering, Matthew (Tracy) Grimm, Molly (Brian) Post and Daniel Grimm (Tonya Moening); seven great-grandchildren: Madison Doering, Samantha Harber, Delaney Doering, Dylan Harber, Riley Doering, Evan Grimm and Gabriela Grimm; his sister, Patricia “Charlotte” Delaney SSND; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Florence on May 3, 1986; his parents; eight siblings and spouses; son-in-law David Harber; and several nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Our House Memory Care and St. Croix Hospice for their kind and loving care of Jim.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2015, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Adam McMillan officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery with military honors provided by the Austin American Legion Post No. 91 and VFW Post No. 1216. The family will greet friends on Sunday, May 31, 2015, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mayer Funeral Home and again an hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. The family prefers memorials to the American Legion Post No. 91 Baseball Program or the choice of the donor. Online Condolences-www.mayerfh.com.