Obituary for Larry R. Meyers
Larry Meyers, age 79, of Edwardsville, Illinois, passed peacefully at his home on December 23, 2022. He was surrounded by his family who loved him dearly.
Larry was born September 17, 1943, in Litchfield, Illinois, the son of the late Harold and Lusetta (Marburger) Meyers. He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Joan Maureen Buscher, and loving children, Dr. Laura (Kevin Lombardo) Meyers, Michelle (Dean) Cissna, Meghan Meyers, and Dr. Michael (Kathleen) Meyers. He was the proud “Poppies” to his granddaughters, Lillian and Vivian Cissna, and Bella, Shelby, Gigi, and Lydia Lombardo. He was cherished by his siblings Harold (Dianna) Meyers, Gary (Jan) Meyers, and Cindy (Ross) Hemann, and extended family and many wonderful friends. He was proceeded in death by a brother, Landis Lee Meyers.
Larry graduated from Litchfield High School in 1961. He proudly served in the Army with the rank of Specialist 5. It was during this time that he developed his passion for flying. After serving, he attended Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with an emphasis in Marketing, and later with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education. He did this all while raising his family and working full time at the steel mill. During his time at the mill, he wore many hats such as Blacksmith, Stationary Engineer, Thermographer, and Head of Predictive and Preventive Maintenance. According to one of his work buddies, “Whatever he did was 110% and he took pride in all he did!” In 2019, he retired after 59 years of dedicated service to U.S. Steel.
Larry was a gentle man and a gentleman. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness and hard work. He was never afraid to say the word love to his family and close friends, and with a gentle hand on your shoulder, he could instill confidence and comfort in your soul. He was happiest traveling with his family and friends, and he never shied away from an adventure. He always enjoyed a home-cooked meal, and everyone was welcome at his family dinner table. He was quick with a long prayer before dinner, and long with a quick story after dinner. In his later years, you could find him birdwatching and sharing nature with his granddaughters at the family cabin.
With Larry around, life was always better. We are so blessed to have had him as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, coworker, and teacher for his short 79 years. He shared his love of the arts with his granddaughters, and as his granddaughter, Shelby, observed, “Because we knew him, we have been changed for good!”
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nature Preserve Foundation (Watershed Nature Center) PO Box 843 Edwardsville, Illinois,62025 or to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. – 12 noon Saturday, January 7, 2022 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville, with the funeral service immediately following.
Larry was born September 17, 1943, in Litchfield, Illinois, the son of the late Harold and Lusetta (Marburger) Meyers. He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Joan Maureen Buscher, and loving children, Dr. Laura (Kevin Lombardo) Meyers, Michelle (Dean) Cissna, Meghan Meyers, and Dr. Michael (Kathleen) Meyers. He was the proud “Poppies” to his granddaughters, Lillian and Vivian Cissna, and Bella, Shelby, Gigi, and Lydia Lombardo. He was cherished by his siblings Harold (Dianna) Meyers, Gary (Jan) Meyers, and Cindy (Ross) Hemann, and extended family and many wonderful friends. He was proceeded in death by a brother, Landis Lee Meyers.
Larry graduated from Litchfield High School in 1961. He proudly served in the Army with the rank of Specialist 5. It was during this time that he developed his passion for flying. After serving, he attended Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with an emphasis in Marketing, and later with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education. He did this all while raising his family and working full time at the steel mill. During his time at the mill, he wore many hats such as Blacksmith, Stationary Engineer, Thermographer, and Head of Predictive and Preventive Maintenance. According to one of his work buddies, “Whatever he did was 110% and he took pride in all he did!” In 2019, he retired after 59 years of dedicated service to U.S. Steel.
Larry was a gentle man and a gentleman. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness and hard work. He was never afraid to say the word love to his family and close friends, and with a gentle hand on your shoulder, he could instill confidence and comfort in your soul. He was happiest traveling with his family and friends, and he never shied away from an adventure. He always enjoyed a home-cooked meal, and everyone was welcome at his family dinner table. He was quick with a long prayer before dinner, and long with a quick story after dinner. In his later years, you could find him birdwatching and sharing nature with his granddaughters at the family cabin.
With Larry around, life was always better. We are so blessed to have had him as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, coworker, and teacher for his short 79 years. He shared his love of the arts with his granddaughters, and as his granddaughter, Shelby, observed, “Because we knew him, we have been changed for good!”
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nature Preserve Foundation (Watershed Nature Center) PO Box 843 Edwardsville, Illinois,62025 or to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. – 12 noon Saturday, January 7, 2022 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville, with the funeral service immediately following.