ROYAL — As the sun rose Saturday morning, Dad rose to meet his savior, Jesus Christ, and eternal life in heaven. Eugene W. ‘Pete’ Meier, 82, of Royal died peacefully at home Saturday (Aug. 18, 2018).
He was born, the youngest of five, on Nov. 7, 1935, in the same house his father had been born, just west of Royal, to George and Marie (Hayn) Meier. He attended schools at Pleasant Valley and Ogden High School. On June 6, 1958, he married the love of his life, Zona McGee, Sidney, and they were blessed with 60 years together.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Zona; three children, Melissa (Randy) Idleman of St. Joseph, Scott of Royal and Nola (Gregg) Jarman of Crestwood; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Loraine Chambliss of Hindsboro; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Anna Crozier and Tena Cribbett; and brother, Jerry Meier.
Over the years, Pete worked at the U of I, farmed and drove a truck. A lifelong baseball fan, he coached Little League, was a supporter of the EI League Royal Giants and a die-hard Cubs fan. Dad never met a stranger and he counted his family and friends as his greatest treasure. His was a life well-lived. While he loved his kids, he particularly adored his grandkids and great-grandkids and often said, “We have the best family.” Famous for his sense of humor and whit, among his many favorite sayings were “a smile is a curve that will help make things go straight” and “what did we eat before there was pizza?”
He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal, where he served as a past council member.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Freese Funeral Home, St. Joseph, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Funeral worship will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph. Visitation will be at the church for one hour prior.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Pete’s caregivers, Lisa Stone and Kimberlee Knight, as well as the staff of Carle Hospice. Memorials may be made to Carle Hospice or the donor’s choice.
Champaign News-Gazette 8/20/2018
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