Dennis Funeral Homes

JAMES MELVIN ANTHONY, age 87 of Waseca died on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at the Albert Lea Medical Center.

Born on March 1, 1923 in Waseca County, Minnesota, he was the son of LeVerne and Philomena (Foley) Anthony.  He attended school in rural Waseca County and graduated from Janesville High School.  Following high school, Jim began working for the E.F. Johnson Co. in Waseca before serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII.  He married Olive T. Dyrdahl on December 28, 1944.  Following his discharge, Jim returned to work at E.F. Johnson’s before opening the first TV store in Waseca.  He later began building homes and also designed and manufactured TV towers.  Jim owned and operated Waseca Manufacturing Co. which made electronic goods and golf carts for Herter’s and later rebuilt airplanes.  Jim was a member of the American Legion in Waseca.

He is survived by his wife, Olive of Waseca; three sons, James Anthony of Decorah, IA, Michael (Bonnie) Anthony of New Richland, and Aaron (Roberta) Fitzgerald of Medford; eight grandchildren, Jamie and Kris Anthony, Kalisha Anthony, Orrie Anthony, Bryanna Anthony, Garrett Fitzgerald, Abigail Fitzgerald, Amelia Fitzgerald, and Keely Wardyn.  He is also survived by two brothers, Raymond (Annette) Anthony of Bristow, IA and John (Anne) Anthony of Mankato; three sisters-in-law, Carol Anthony of Waseca, Lucille Anthony of Faribault, and Betty Anthony of Waseca; one brother-in-law, Bob O’Connell of Fredricksburg, TX; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers – Ernest, David and Jerry, and one sister-Gertrude O’Connell.

Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 from 4-7 PM and continue on Wednesday, one hour before services at the church.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at 10:30 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca.  Burial will follow at the Alma City Cemetery.