Obit: Meyer, Leo  (1896 - 1953)

Contact: Audrey Roedl

Email: audero@powerweb.net

Surnames: Meyer, Kilbourn, Knack

----Source: The Loyal Tribune  (Loysl, Clark County, Wis. 05 March 1953)

Meyer, Leo  (22 MARCH 1896-27 FEB 1953)

In the midst of a blinding snow storm last Monday, a volley of three shots, the sounding of ‘Taps", an final prayers, relatives and friends paid a final earthly tribute to the mortal remains of perhaps the greatest lleader the city has ever known, Leo Meyer.

Leo Meyer, 56, died at his home Friday, February 27, 1953, at 2:30 P.M.

Although he had been ill for several months, it was hard for friends to accept the truth when death came.

He was born in Neillsville, March 22, 1896. He received his education there, graduating from the Neillsville High School. After spending a short time in business in Bloomer, he came to Loyal and started a dry cleaning business which business he maintained throughout his years here. He was married to Veronica Kilbourn at Loyal, June 14, 1920.

It was 20 tears ago on February 24, 1933, that Mr. Meyer became postmaster, and served in that position for all of those years, he yet found time to be a leader in many local organizations and a worker in civic projects.

He was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and its organizations, the Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus.

He was a charter member of the Local American Legion Post and held various offices in that organization, among them post commander, adjunct and chaplain. He was also a charter member of the Rotary Club, and until his illness last fall he had never missed a meeting.

At he time of his death he was president of Loyal Industries Incorporated, which corporation he had been instrumental in organizing. Through the work of this organization, the St. Croix Corporation has now located in Loyal, and provides work for 60 people making glass fishing rods.

In addition to his many local activities he was interested in postal organizations of the state and nation. In 1951 he attended a convention in Miami, Florida, of postal leaders. There were present 968 delegates from all states and Alaska and Puerto Rico. At this convention he was elected third vice president of the National League of District Postmasters. While in Miami, he attended special secretary sessions held in conjunction with the general convention as he was then state secretary of the Wisconsin Branch of District Postmasters. At this convention he was elected president of the club. Just previous to his death, he resigned his office as State secretary and treasurer of the National League of District Postmasters.

It was at this convention he also received for the second consecutive year, a cash prize for securing the most new members for the District Postmasters’ organization.

The members of the Loyal Rosary Club together with many special guests paid a "Roses to the Living" tribute to Mr. Meyer as a testimonial dinner, Thursday, January 28. At this meeting he received much deserved praise for his many accomplishments.

Perhaps the headlines, "Death Takes Postmaster Who Was Loyal to Loyal", used by the "Milwaukee Journal", in its story of Mr. Meyer tells in best chosen words his interest in his home town.

A general rosary service was said at 8 P.M. Sunday evening at the Myre Funeral Home and following the general service a rosary was said by the Knights of Columbus, with members of the Marshfield society attending.

He is survived by his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Milton (Joan) Knack, Loyal, one son, Alan, Loyal, one granddaughter, one brother, William, of Loyal, and one sister, Mrs. Elsie Lambert, Neillsville.

Funeral services were held in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Monday at 9:30 A.M. with the Rev. Norbert King officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Pallbearers were fellow members of 40 et 8. They were Tom Polmanszek, William Wagner, William Vanderhyden, Robert Elkins and Newell Qualle, all of thorp, and Mike Podobnik of Greenwood.

Members of the Loyal and Greenwood American Legion Posts attended in a body and provided a military escort and color guard. Alsao attending the services in a body were the Knights of Columbus, Holy Name Society and visiting postmasters.

Among the relatives from out of town attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Voight and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Brunke and son Richard, Wauwatosa; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Voight, Milwaukee, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Panzar (?spelling) , Mr. and Mrs. Peter Emerson, and Harold Andgaska, Wisconsin Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Andraska, Park Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Ben Sayles, Wausau; Mr. and Mrs. Donald Rudell, Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Lambert, Neillsville; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kranz, Neillsville; Mr. and Mrs. Foster Will, Owen; Mrs. Harold Beaver, Watertown; and William Meyer, Jr., Greenwood

Among the postmasters attending were Mrs. Evelyn Wotruba, Milladore, Anton Umhoefer, Colby; Nyole Creed, Unity; Earl Young, Melrose; Werner Wolfinger, Eland; Clarence Mullendore, Viola; Emil Kolash, La Crosse; R. L. Barnes, Greenwood; William Wagner. Thorp. And Mr. and Mrs. Charles Chen (? Spelling) , Hixton.