John E. MEYER

MEYER John E, age 79 of Xenia, Ohio and Manasota Key, Florida, passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2006 in Ft. Thomas, KY as the result of an aviation accident. He was preceded in death by his parents Wilma and Elmer Meyer, wife Betty Jo, and son John Meyer II. He is survived by his loving companion of many years, Ellie Mae Smith, devoted daughters, Patty Meyer Dorn (Mike) of Kettering, and Marcia Meyer O'Rourke, adoring grandson Tommy O'Rourke of Bellbrook, brother Marion "Bud" Meyer (Erma), sister Winona "Sug' Jones (Don), sister Sharon Landers (Rick), and Ellie's 3 caring daughters, Sandy Westfall, Dawn Sullivan, Cathy Micallef, their spouses and children. Also survived by many nieces and nephews and countless friends. Meyer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and attended Holmes High School in Covington, Kentucky. Served in United States Naval Reserve, attended University of Kentucky in Lexington, where he had his first business ventures owning and operating an ice cream truck and selling Fuller Brushes door to door, and played baseball in the then "Class D minor leagues.' Meyer worked for Pinkerton Detective Agency in 1949, then went on to sell home improvements in the Carolinas. Later he opened his own home improvement company. In 1953, he opened Johnny Meyer Motors in Park Hills, KY. He opened a second one, then a bowling alley in Covington in 1960, followed by an auction company. In 1963, he moved his family to Xenia to open John Meyer Volkswagen. He went on to open many more dealerships, eventually purchasing Eastgate Ford in Beavercreek in 1976 and successfully helping many of his employees in their own automobile dealerships. He sold Eastgate in 1996 to "retire', but in his own fashion. He continued with many real estate and business ventures, as well as owning a boat, airplane and car leasing company. His most recent endeavor was the purchase and renovation of Greene Country Club. An avid philanthropist, working with the Dayton Foundation, he created the John and Betty Jo Meyer Family Foundation, helping numerous people in pursuing their own business dreams. He also established a scholarship in memory of his son John II, at Xenia High School to help graduating students with special needs. Meyer was key to the development of the Greene County Community Youth Sports Fund. Some of the groups he was a member of include Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity, Masonic Lodge #109, BPOE Lodge, Xenia, and Aviation Hall of Fame. He served on the boards of Greene County Auto Dealers Association, Greene County Country Club, Greene County Airport, Xenia National Bank Board, Society National Bank of the Miami Valley. Friends may call at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-BEAVERCREEK CHAPEL, 3970 Dayton-Xenia Rd. at Grange Hall Rd. on Friday evening, June 2 from 5 P.M. until 9 P.M. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday morning, June 3 at 10 A.M. with Pastor John Lockwood officiating. Interment burial will be in Woodland Cemetery of Xenia. Following the burial, a celebration of John's life will be held at Greene Country Club, 920 W Dayton Yellow Springs Road. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.