CUMBERLAND, Feb. 9 – James D. (Jim) Miessler, 65, of Cumberland, beloved husband, son and friend, died early Monday morning, February 8, 2010 from throat cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 39 year, Patricia (Patsy); his mother, Beth Reinert of Fairfax; brother-in-law, Joseph Gemski of Buckingham; honorary aunt, Dolly (and Gerry) Nash of Brunswick, OH, and his beloved cats. His father, James Dipko, was killed in action during World War II, before Mr. Miessler's birth.

He was born in Cleveland, OH, and raised in Cleveland and Berea, OH, where he graduated from Berea High School in 1962. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1967 with a five-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Ceramic Engineering. Following graduation, he worked at Newport News Shipbuilding, then at Warco, Inc., Agawam, MA, and Versar, Inc., Springfield.

In 1985, he co-founded and was President of Syntech Materials, Inc., Lorton. He was considered the leading authority in syntactic foam used as buoyancy in the Underwater industry. He left Syntech in 1999 and moved to Cumberland in 2002. He loved living in Cumberland and considered the people he met here as the nicest he'd ever known.

At the families request, Mr. Miessler will be cremated and his ashes will be brought back home with his wife. At this time no public services are scheduled.

Mr. Miessler requested that memorial contributions be made to the Southside SPCA, P.O. Box 66, Meherrin, VA 23954.

Puckett Funeral Home is assisting the family.

www.puckettfh.com