Howard A. Meyer, 84, of Chebanse passed away on Friday, November 1, 2013 at Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth.
Howard was born December 3, 1928 in Chebanse, the son of Albert and Lucille Schultz Meyer. He attended grade school in a small, one room country school a half mile south of his home. For several years he was the only boy. He would ride his pony early in the morning to school to start the fire in the heating stove so the room would be warm when the teacher and the pupils would arrive. He belonged to 4-H for several years and showed steers for his project. He had several champions in which he took to the state fair. He later became a 4-H leader.
He graduated from Chebanse High School with the class of 1946. On February 5, 1949 he married his high school sweetheart and classmate Melba Droste at Zion Lutheran Church in Chebanse. He helped his father farm and also drove a school bus. He then worked for the Village of Chebanse putting in the water lines. He farmed for twenty years in the Chebanse area before having the opportunity to buy the Schultz Insurance and Real Estate Agency in Chebanse that his uncle Louis M. Schultz owned. The business had been started by his grandfather, Louis C. Schultz in 1937. The agency is now known as the Meyer Agency Inc. Howard went on to be a Bank Director for the Federated Bank for twenty-five years. He served on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Farmers Insurance Association for several years. He was also a member and served on the board for several years of the Kankakee-Iroquois Co. Board of Realtors.
In addition to his wife, Melba, he is survived by one son, James (Adele) Meyer of Chebanse; one daughter, Jeanne (Joseph) Mathy of Clifton; four grandchildren, Jason (Michelle) Mathy of Chebanse, Brett (Cory) Long of Clifton, Jennifer (Adam) McMullen of Streator, and Sarah (Stanton) Long of Mt. Juliet, TN; ten great-grandchildren, Andie, Kaylee, and Brooklynne Mathy, Hudson and Halle Long, Anna, Charli, and Wyatt McMullen, and Elizabeth and Eli Long; one sister, Darlene Stephens of Bourbonnais; one sister-in-law, Bonnie Potts of Chebanse; and one brother-in-law, Vernon Brault of Martinton.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Nelda Walters; two sisters-in-law, Betty Wood and Donna Brault; four brothers-in-law, Philip Stephens, Wesley Walters, Donald Potts, and Donald Wood.
Before his stroke, Howard loved to hunt, trap shoot, and fish. He was a member of the NRA, Pheasants Forever, and Ducks Unlimited. He always enjoyed spending time with his family and his friends.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at Zion Lutheran Church in Chebanse. Rev. Kene Whybrew will officiate. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Chebanse.
Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. on Monday, November 4, 2013 at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton as well as one hour prior to the funeral service on Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice or to the family’s wishes.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.knappfuneralhomes.com