Obit: Meier, Raymond #2 (1947 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Meier, Rizner, Zilk, Marino, Wilson, Blackburn, Quicker, Dux, Pace

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) October 27, 2010

Meier, Raymond (7 November 1947 - 19 October 2010) With Flag

Raymond Meier, 63, of Neillsville died peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, following a lengthy six-year illness, which he tenaciously fought.

Raymond was born Nov. 7, 1947, in Elgin, IL, to Arthur and Bessie (Rizner) Meier. Raymond’s family subsequently moved to the Neillsville area where he received his education at St. John’s Lutheran School and Neillsville High School.  He graduated in 1965 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, in which he served two tours of duty in Vietnam, finished out as a sergeant from Jan. 24, 1966 through Jan. 23, 1970.  Following his discharge, Raymond purchased his own semi-truck and trailer and was employed with Anderson Trucking Service out of St. Paul, MN. Later employment included Neillsville Coop Transport and Cenex.  He later purchased another semi from Wm. Glen Zilk, who would ultimately become his future father-in-law.  Later Raymond opted to leave the trucking days behind, and he secured a sales agent position with Lawson Products Inc. out of Des Plaines, IL, providing industrial, automotive maintenance specialties to routed customers.  This was Ray’s final employment when he was forced to retire due to the onset of his disease. 

Raymond was united in matrimony to Mary Jo Zilk, July 22, 1978, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, of which they were both members.  Raymond held life-long membership to the Haugen-Richmond American Legion Post 73 in Neillsville and also was an active member in the Neillsville Saddle Tramps Horse Club.

Raymond’s hobbies were fishing, hunting, trapping, ice fishing, four-wheeling and horseback riding.  He also tremendously enjoyed the comforts and bucolic peace of his restored Victorian Home and grounds.  Ray worked arduously for seven years rejuvenating and restoring his 1895 home, lending to his carpentry skills to reclaim its former integrity and beauty.  Raymond had a sincere love for his God, his family, his home and his horses.  He was an honest, hard-working individual who was dependable, fatherly and responsibly cared for his wife and three sons.  We all loved him dearly and his passing has left a deep untimely loss and grief.  This loss has left an unfillable vacancy to all that knew and loved him.  His laughter, uniqueness and manly courage will be inexplicably missed always.  We know and are blessed with the knowledge that he is welcomed into his Savior’s loving arms in full spiritual communion for all of eternity.

Raymond is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; three sons, Tyler Joseph (Nicole) Meier of Eau Claire; Seth Ayers (Michele) Meier of Granton, and Samuel Joel (Cara Beth) Meier of Cornell; six grandchildren, Jazmin Angelle Marino, Travis John Meier, Tristen Matthew Meier, Michael Wilson, Jessy Wilson and Zoe Mae Meier.  He is also survived by a brother and two sisters, Ronald (Kelly) Meier of Rocky Ford, CO, Annette (Kenneth) Blackburn of Janesville and Judith (Jerry) Quicker of Neillsville; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Bessie Meier; his sister Betty Dux; and his brother Arthur James Meier.

Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville hosted a visitation for friends and relatives of Raymond Sunday evening, Oct. 24, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Raymond’s Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of his life was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville, Monday, Oct. 25, commencing with the Holy Rosary at 9 a.m. followed by visitation at the church narthex from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with the Catholic funeral mass beginning at l0:30 a.m.  The Celebrant was Fr. Woodrow H. Pace.

Honorary Casketbearers were Raymond’s sons, Tyler J. Meier, Seth A. Meier and Samuel J. Meier.

Interment will take place at Raymond’s home, 1209 Lloyd St., Neillsville, on Ray’s birthday, Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. for all relatives to attend with full military honors accorded to him by the Neillsville Veterans Council.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests Holy Masses be offered for Raymond and memorials may be directed to his family for future dispensation.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Raymond’s family with funeral arrangements.