The piano notes to the virtual anthem of Mountaineers everywhere flew off the keyboard Thursday as the city bid farewell to former Councilman Jim Jeffers.

Jeffers, who was elected in April 2005 to his first term, died Tuesday at home. He had resigned his position on Aug. 31 because of his health. He had cancer.

Jeffers was born in Paden City, W.Va., about halfway along the Ohio border between Parkersburg and Wheeling. He maintained a cabin in the area. Long-time friend, Margaret Glenn, asked for "Country Roads" as the closing song for the memorial service at Faith Presbyterian Church.

"But while Jeffers is off to another life, his legacy as a man who stepped up and made a commitment to Cape Coral awaits others who will pick it up and carry on with it," the Rev. H. T. Halverson told close to 200 people who attended the service.

Who, from today's me-first society, will step up to coach a Little League team, deliver Meals on Wheels or greet newcomers to the city, Halverson asked.

The pews were filled with City Council members, city officials, volunteers on city committees and boards, neighborhood activists and residents who already are public service activists. At least two residents in attendance from council District 1 have expressed an interest in filling his seat.

Terry Conour, who knew Jeffers personally as a friend for more than 30 years, said they shared a common love for baseball, Jimmy Buffet and the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament as well as the outdoors.

Jeffers was a teenager when he suffered a spinal cord injury that put him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. But he saw that disability as a life-changing event. It steered him away from working in the coal mines and into such positions as the rehabilitation services director for three states, Conour said.

Jesse Landis, a person with Down syndrome, thanked Jeffers for the support he gave to the Down Syndrome Support Group in Cape Coral. Jeffers requested memorial contributions be made to the group.

This is cache, read story here