Peter J. Meyer

Peter J. (Pete) Meyer, age 92, died at home July 7, 2018 surrounded by family.  He was born April 18, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, son of Emilie (Westphal) and Peter F. Meyer.  He graduated from Senn High School and Lake Forest College, after serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in WWII.  When he was recalled in 1947 it was for the newly created U.S. Air Force.  Sixty-three years ago, on June 11, 1955, he married the love of his life, Mary Ann Olivetto.  He is survived by her and their seven children: Stephen (Nicola) Meyer – Beloit; Nicki (Jeff Dietz) Meyer – Rhinelander/Fort Myers; Tony (Maria Yolanda Pena) Meyer – Beloit; Maria (Bill) Watson – Virginia Beach; Michael Meyer – Chicago; Jim Meyer – Janesville; Molly (Wes Voge) Meyer – Beloit. Eleven grandchildren: Emilie (James) Mardock and Dominick (Jessica) Meyer; Carly (Dave Koewing) Dietz; Madeline (James) Henson, Matthew Watson, Whitney (Brandon) Hall, Alexandria Meyer, Samantha (Davon) Howe, Erika (Joe Konkle) Barragan, Ivan David (Kate) Barragan and Miguel (Shelby) Pena.  Twelve great-grandchildren: Diggory and Felicity Mardock; Oliver Meyer; Jackson and Levi Koewing; Mable Hall; Ava Howe; Evan Konkle; Nikolas Camacho; Liara and Oliver Barragan and Sofia and Miguel Pena.  He is also survived by his sister Hope (Bill) Fahrenwald and niece, Jo Anne (Paul) Ganziano and nephew, Jeff (Linda Ballou) Fahrenwald. He was predeceased by both of his parents, Emilie and Peter, his sister Joyce, and brothers-in-law Bill Fahrenwald and Frank Heinemann.

In 1960 Pete and Mary Ann moved to Beloit when he and Carl Balke bought Hendee Oil Company, which they operated for thirty-three years.  But despite the demands of business and his large family, he passionately volunteered countless hours for his entire fifty-eight years in Beloit.  He worked many years for the PTSA, Crime Stoppers, Meals on Wheels, Beloit Memorial Hospital, Life Line and Visit Beloit.  But nothing was as dear as his fifty-eight years serving his beloved Lions Club in every capacity; local President, District Governor, Lions Foundation President, and Ambassador to Mexico.  He ultimately earned its highest honors: The Melvin Jones Humanitarian Award and the Burch-Strum Award.

He loved and taught duplicate bridge to generations, and along with Mary Ann gained many of their dearest lifelong friends; both became life masters.  Together they traveled through all seven continents.  He loved the Chicago Bears and played football in college for one of its coaches, Ralph Jones.  He lived to see his Chicago Cubs finally win a World Series.  He re-watched and sang along with every Turner classic movie.  His sense of humor inspired generations.  He loved gardening and the animal kingdom, which he was able to see in all of its glory in Galapagos, Antarctic and Africa. He was a Lion and his gentle roar will be missed. 

Pete's Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday July 11, 2018 at ST. THOMAS the  APOSTLE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 822 East Grand Avenue, Beloit. Friends will be received on Tuesday in the BRIAN G. MARK Funeral Home, 1000 Inman Parkway from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 pm. and again on Wednesday in the Church from 10:000 a.m. until the time of service. Burial and full military burial rites will follow Pete's service in Oakwood Cemetery. A memorial is being established in his name. Please share a condolence with the family on our website.

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