Eugene Francis Meyer

Meyer Eugene Francis Meyer, 87, died peacefully at his Westerville home surrounded by family Thursday morning, May 9, 2013. Born in Springfield, Ohio as the fourth of five children to Joseph Richard and Edna Campbell Meyer, Eugene returned after service and sustaining injury with the U.S. Army in World War II to graduate from Springfield Catholic Central High School in 1945, where he began his courtship of his beloved Marilyn C. Hopping. Eugene and Marilyn wed on Valentine's Day 1949. After he worked a number of sales jobs and as a millwright for International Harvester in Springfield. After he birth of their first five children, the family relocated to Columbus in 1957, where Eugene began his 30-year career in the claims division of State Auto Mutual Insurance Co. Eugene was a decades-long member of the Knights of Columbus; a member and officer of the Columbus Junior Chamber of Commerce; and, with Marilyn and their children, a founding family of St. Philip the Apostle Church in East Columbus, where with help from a succession of all six children, he erected the annual nativity scene each Christmas for 20 years. He also was a member of the Gallery Players theater troupe at the Jewish Community Center in the 1970s and '80s, appearing in productions, among others, of Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof and Milk and Honey. Moving to Westerville in 1977, an original homeowner in the Spring Grove subdivision, Eugene joined the St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. He served on the board and as secretary of the Blendon-Genoa Landowners Protective Association, responsible for maintaining deed restrictions that prohibit commercial development in the Hoover Reservoir area. Known for his keen sense of humor, deep pride in his children and love of life, Eugene enjoyed a beloved existence in the arms of his wife and extended family through his last day. The devoted husband and father is survived by wife of 64 years, Marilyn C. Meyer; daughter, Carol Susanne Rebert of Westerville; grandson, Colin Rebert (Amanda) and great-grandson, Conner; grandson, Zachary Rebert (Erika); great-grandchildren, Sebastian, Rosie and Julian; son, E. Jerome Meyer (Barbara) of Maysville, Ky.; and grandson, Michael (Danielle); son, Christopher R. Meyer (Sharman) of Newark, Oh.; granddaughters, Elizabeth Meyer (Lauren) and Emily Morris (Jeremy); grandson, Timothy Meyer (Julie); and great-granddaughter, Madelyn; son, Richard F. Meyer (Laurie) of Upper Arlington; grandsons, Aaron Meyer and Devon Meyer; granddaughters, Cassandre, Bryanna and Ashley; daughter, Jeanne Lorimer (James Jeffrey) of Westerville; grandson, Jason Lorimer (Carrie)l and great-granddaughter, Ruby; granddaughter, Jessica Roseman (Jason); and great-grandson, Jacob; son, H. Joseph Meyer, (Raelene) of Westerville; grandchildren, John, Emma and Audrey. Also, he is survived by his sisters-in-law, Ann E. Hopping Heller of Westerville, Nancy Flaker Hopping of Springfield and Jane Smith Meyer of Cincinnati; and many beloved nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces. He is preceded in death by sister/brother-in-law Mary Louise and Charles Rogusky, brothers/sisters-in-law Raymond (Jane McLaughlin), Joseph (Mary Ellen McNulty), and James, brothers-in-law Peter Hopping and Allan Heller and granddaughter Cassie Lundell Lorimer. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at the MORELAND FUNERAL HOME, 55 E. Schrock Rd., Westerville. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 17 at St. Paul Catholic Church, 313 N. State St., Westerville, Rev. Charles Klinger, Celebrant. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. The family wishes to extend its deepest gratitude to Mount Carmel Hospice, Visiting Angels of Westerville and the Westerville Division of Fire, for their kind care for Eugene in his last months and days.