David William Meyer

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that David William Meyer passed away on March 22, 2026. He was born in Newport, Kentucky on August 3,1955 to David and Mary Anna (Yates) Meyer. He was the second of seven children and was an "Irish twin" to his elder sister Mary Catherine with whom he was the same age every year for three weeks.

Dave spent his childhood mostly in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area attending St. Savior Grade school and Moeller HIgh School until his family moved to Peoria where he attended Bergan High School. He also attended Illinois Central College. Dave followed in the footsteps of his father (who was president of the company) working for Colonial Baking Co. His brilliance in engineering and maintenance became evident quickly as, at a young age, he became responsible for keeping some of the largest bread making facilities in the country up and running. He had an innate gift for instantly knowing how things worked, quickly diagnosing and resolving even the most difficult issues that arose, often working countless hours or through the night working on complex machinery while managing his staff to get the job done.

Dave was preceded in death by his father David H. Meyer Jr. and his brother-in-law Robert J. Vanbuskirk. Surviving are one daughter: Rachel (Ben) Johnson, and three sons: David William Meyer II, Nicholas Meyer, and Benjamin Meyer, five grandchildren, his mother, Mary Anna Meyer, three sisters: Mary Catherine VanBuskirk, Teresa (Greg) Dieter, Rose Marie (Steve) Rudolph, and three brothers: Robert (Carol) Meyer, Kenneth Meyer, and Richard, (Melissa) Meyer, twenty six nieces and nephews and countless great-nieces and great-nephews.

Dave was the Boy Scout Master for his sons, teaching them a multitude of life skills including camping, canoeing, and problem solving. He loved to listen to Neil Diamond, classical music, and absolutely cherished all things Arizona: the mountains, the desert, the sun and wide open spaces - living there many years on his beautiful ranch. He enjoyed riding and repairing vehicles large and small, was an expert pool player and was readily recognized by his iconic black cowboy hat. Dave also loved Mexico: the food, the culture, and the people. He was quite knowledgeable in politics, often engaging in lively political discussions, thoroughly enjoying the banter despite differing viewpoints.

Dave will be deeply missed by his family and friends who dearly loved him.

A Memorial Mass will be offered for Dave at 1:00pm on Friday, April 24th, 2026 at St. Mary of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in Germantown Hills, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Masses be said for Dave at St. Mary of Lourdes in Germantown Hills, or in Peoria at St. Philomena, Sacred Heart or St. Vincent de Paul Church.