In Memory

Ronald O. Meyer

Ronald O. Meyer

RONALD O. MEYER

Linda Meyer

Ronald Meyer

ROSEWOOD HEIGHTS

 

Ronald Meyer, 60, died at 3:12 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2003, at St. Louis University Hospital. Linda Mae Meyer, 56, died at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at St. Louis University Hospital. They both died of injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash near Red Bud IL on June 21, 2003.

He was born Jan. 4, 1943, in Alton to Ollie F. and Bernadette F. ( Hauck ) Meyer. She was born May 17, 1947, in Alton to Alvareita (Vetter) Giles of Edwardsville  and Francis "Bud" Giles.

The couple was married July 30, 1965, in  Rosewood Heights.  He was a technician at Clarklift of St. Louis for 30 years. A cosmetologist in her home, she also was a seamstress and took care of children at her home. She was a member of the Heartland Quilters Guild.

Both were members of the Alton Harley Owners Group Chapter, American Motorcycle Association, Illinois Street Rod Association, and FBI Car Club of Southern Illinois.

In addition to her mother, surviving the couple are a daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Brian Davis of Wood River; a son, Terry Meyer of St. Louis; and a grandson, Donovan Oliver Davis. Also surviving are his brothers and sisters, Larry Meyer of Alton, Chris and her husband, Larry Hall, and Darla and her husband, Richard Haworth, all of Godfrey.

Her sisters and brothers are Sheila and her husband, Kevin Fudge, of Belleville, Lindell and his wife, Donna Giles, of Jerseyville, F. Kent and his wife, Sandra Giles, of Godfrey, and Paula and her husband, Bob Carlton, of Wood River.

Both are survived by 12 nieces and nephews, four great-nieces and nephews and numerous aunts and uncles.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, David A. Meyer.

Visitation and services  for the couple were at Gent Funeral Home in Alton, where the Rev. Martin Schultz officiated.

Burial followed  at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Bikers for Babies/March of Dimes or Medstar Services in Sparta, IL.

Alton Telegraph – 6/28/2003

 

Couple's last ride is with Friends : Vehicle, bike buffs remember two killed in crash

By ELIZABETH A. LEHNERER

For The Telegraph

ALTON

Ronald and Linda Meyer would have loved the rainbow of colored metal and mix of chrome and leather that filled the parking lot of Gent Funeral Home on Monday, June 30, 2003.  Scores of people, among them owners of the restored  vehicles and glistening  motorcycles, gathered to remember the Meyers, who died in June after their motorcycle collided with a grain truck on Illinois Route 3.

Lining one side outside the funeral home were Chevrolets, Pontiacs, Fords and other classic cars dating back many decades, painted in yellow, green, lavender, blue, pink flames, black and classic red. Lining the other side of the lot were traditional Harley Davidsons, and modern BMW and custom bikes. Perry Coons worked on cars with Ronald Meyer and stood up at his wedding 37 years ago.

"Ronnie has been working on cars for as long as I can remember and Linda joined

 in when she met him,"   said Coons. “They were just incredible together."

When Ronald Meyer wasn't working for Clark Forklift of St. Louis he was racing his Mustangs on drag racing strips. Linda Meyer worked out of her home as a cosmetologist, was a seamstress, took care of children and was a member of the Heartland Quilters Guild.

Friends of the couple who drove or rode, leather and jean clad, to the service lovingly displayed the Meyer's passions for bikes and cars.

The Meyers were members of the Alton Chapter of the Harley Owners Group (HOG), American Motorcycle Association and the Illinois Street Rod Association. Friends and associates from the organizations along with family crammed into the packed funeral home amid dozens of flower arrangements.

Pictures vividly displayed the lives of the Meyers, smiling with friends, at HOG gatherings and at their wedding.

Coons drove from Colorado to give the eulogy, "When Ronnie told me the reason he was going to marry Linda he said, 'I finally found somebody who likes the wind in her hair,'" he told those assembled. Coons spoke about their lives, from their births to that day when they were interred but he focused on the dash between the dates and said it was a symbol of their lives. "The dash Is what counts. It's the dream, adventure, spirituality and health. That's what they had," Coons said.

At the end of his eulogy, Coons said he was convinced good will come of the loss and

that the people gathered were a reflection of their love.

The Rev. Martin Schultz of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wood River presided over the service, reminding those gathered that tragic death is not fair, but there is a better life to come with God.

"In the midst of our loss, God blesses his people," Schultz said. "His love will not fail."

The service at Gent was followed by a mile-long motorcade to Godfrey. This procession, led by the motorcyclists, ended at Valhalla Memorial Park where the couple's cremated remains were laid to rest.

Schultz said that he was sure they where happy to be together forever in God's

love.

The Meyers, natives ot Rosewood Heights, died of injuries suffered in a collision  on Saturday, June 21, The couple were riding their motorcycle southbound on Illinois Route 3 in Monroe County when a grain truck driven by Terry 0. Liefer, 51, of Red Bud, struck the bike.

            Ronald Meyer, 60, died at the scene* and Linda Meyer, 56, was taken to St. Louis University Hospital where she died Wednesday, June 25.

* Their obituary says Ronald Meyer also died at St. Louis University Hospital

Alton Telegraph 7/1/2003

 

Excerpts from article “Wife dies of injuries from crash that killed husband.”  By Sanford J. Schmidt, The Telegraph

            “They were two of the nicest people you’d ever want to meet. They really enjoyed the road, and they will be greatly missed,” said Linda Walker, director of the Alton chapter of Harley Owners Group (HOG), based at Ted’s Motorcycle World in Alton.  . . .

Walker said they had hundreds of friends among the 250 members of the chapter. They were active in all the events, including fund-raising for causes such as feeding the homeless.  . . .

            Ronald Meyer was south bound Saturday on Illinois Route 3, and drove into the right, front fender of a grain truck driven by Terry O Liefer, 51, of Red Bud. Liefer was ticketed for allegedly failing to yield at a stop sign.  The truck driver was pulling out from Doyle road which runs at an angle to Route 3, Illinois State Police said.

            Ronald Meyer had ridden and raced motorcycles most of his life and never before had an accident, friends and family said. He worked for Clark Forklift Services and worked on forklifts at businesses throughout the area, said his uncle, Ed Halsey of Glen Carbon.

            Many of Meyer’s friends had the love of motorcycles and cars and spent much of their free time riding and working on them.

            “He was my best buddy,” said Dennis Day, an insurance adjuster. “When we’d ride down the highway, we knew what each other was thinking.” . . .  Day recalled that Meyer would often win the safe driving awards given out by  HOG.

            “He’s the best rider I’ve ever known,” Day said.

`           Friends and family remember that Meyer used to run drag racing cars. He also raced on a dirt bike circuit in small towns such as White City and Salem.

            Terry Meyer said the only thing his father loved more than motorcycles was his family. Besides their son, the couple have a daughter, Tina Davis of Wood River. She has a four-year-old son and another baby on the way.

            “He was an excellent father and a wonderful husband,” Terry Meyer said.

           

 

 

 



 
go to bottom 
  Post Comment

02/18/10 08:06 PM #1    

Perry Coons

Ronnie died on June 21, 2003. His wife Linda died 3 days later from injuries suffered in the same motorcycle accident.

02/19/10 02:29 PM #2    

Marilyn Hope Waide (Lake)

Thank you, Perry.

02/23/10 09:40 PM #3    

Sam Bono

Ron and I went from grade school (St. Matthew) thru high school. At the last reunion we talked how we played together when we were young. He lived down the street from me. Lot's of memories.

02/28/10 10:09 AM #4    

Nancy Van Ausdoll (Crivello) (Dallas)



My heart still aches when I think about Ronnie and Linda.
They were so happy together and loving life. So sad
they had to be taken so tragically

03/06/10 05:23 PM #5    

Perry Coons

It is sometimes difficult to think of Ronnie and Linda as gone. They visited us here in Denver, on their bike, on several occasions. Louisa became very close to them. That she did was special for me because I had been the best man in Ronnnie & Linda's wedding and Ronnie had been the best man when I married Judi Kaid in 1963. I often told Ronnie that I did a better job for him than he did for me. I recall their first visit to our home in 1992, shortly after my son Kevin died. Louisa suggested that I call Judi so she could visit with them too. Judi joined us and we enjoyed an evening full of laughter. Ronnie & Linda were here in September 2002 and were planning to visit again in 2003. When I spoke at their funeral I learned that Ronnie often spoke of his Colorado friend. It was then that Carl Himmel and Ted Burleson knew that it was me he spoke. I do miss him.


go to top 
  Post Comment

 




agape