LAURA A. MEYER

Laura A. Meyer, 95, of Willoughby, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026 at Fairmount Health Center. Laura was born in Napoleon, Ohio on March 26, 1930 to Herman and Frieda (Panning) Schuette and was raised on the family farm in Napoleon. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Napoleon Township and graduated from Florida High School in 1948. Following high school, Laura worked for the Henry County Signal in the business office and as a reporter.

Laura met the love of her life, Richard Meyer, at the Metropole in Napoleon in 1949 and they were married on September 5, 1953. Rich and Laura were blessed with four loving children-Deb, Tom, Ron and Lisa-who they raised in Willowick and Euclid.

As a loving and devoted wife, mother and homemaker, Laura consistently kept her family foremost in her plans and priorities. She always supported and encouraged her family by attending games, concerts and other activities while at the same time acting as a humble, patient and gracious role model. Using favorite family recipes, she was a superb pie and coffee cake baker and later enjoyed baking cookies with all of her grandchildren. Laura excelled as a hostess and enjoyed entertaining large and small gatherings with Rich in their home, always with a beautiful smile and a laugh to match.

After her children started school, Laura rejoined the workforce, first as an Avon Lady, then at Davis Bakery, and finally in food services for the Euclid Schools. She started part time as a dishwasher, but worked her way up to head baker and then head cook at Euclid High School, preparing food for thousands of students every day. By the time she retired in 1986, she was coordinating the lunch programs for all of Euclid's elementary and middle schools, 13 buildings in all.

Following retirement, Laura and Rich spent their winters in Florida before moving to Port Charlotte in 1994. Laura enjoyed opening their Florida home for many gatherings of friends and family visiting from up north. Of course, children and grandchildren were frequent visitors, creating many happy memories in the sunshine or at the beach and pool. Rich and Laura moved back to Northeast Ohio in 2014, settling at the senior community at Breckenridge Village in Willoughby.

Laura's love for travel started as a senior in high school with a class trip to Niagara Falls, Washington DC and New York City. She and Rich shared the joy of travel with their children on a number of summer vacations touring the United States. In retirement, Laura and Rich, accompanied by family or friends, expanded their travels to Alaska and Hawaii, the Caribbean, Europe and a long journey to Australia and New Zealand.

With a deep love and commitment to God, Laura was an active member at church, particularly Bethlehem Lutheran in Euclid and Faith Lutheran in Punta Gorda, Florida. Raising a family with God's Word and love as the focus was very important to Laura and Rich, as reflected in their countless volunteer hours to support Bethlehem Lutheran School while their children attended. In these activities Laura made some of her closest lifelong friends.

Laura was passionately committed to the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML), serving the Lord with gladness to support global missions. In addition to saving and collecting mites for LWML, she led the Faith Church Quilters to supply handmade quilts for Lutheran World Relief and to create faith boxes for the Seminole Tribe of Florida on the Immokalee reservation. She also served in many different leadership roles at Bethlehem including Vacation Bible School, PTL, Dorcas Guild and their annual Christmas bazaar, plus cooking and planning fundraisers like the sauerkraut suppers and fish fries.

Laura is survived by her daughter Debra Habat of Willoughby; son Thomas (Kelley) Meyer of Kirtland; son Ronald Meyer of Hilliard; daughter Lisa (Christopher) Cartellone of Solon; seven grandchildren: Mark Habat, Marie (Adam) Shannon, Kathleen Habat, Melissa (Erik) Seawall-Parker, Kathryn (PJ Miller) Meyer, Allison Cartellone (fiancé Matt Bickerton) and Nicholas Meyer (fiancé Michelle Goll); sister-in-law Marilyn Schuette of Napoleon; sister-in-law Barbara Aadland of New Palestine, Indiana; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Laura was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her parents, her sister Edna (Frank) Coe and her brothers Paul (Elvera) Schuette, Fred Schuette, Henry (Evelyn) Schuette, Edwin Schuette and Lawrence Schuette.

In her 95 years Laura left her mark as the consummate wife and mom and as a leader in her church and workplace, having a caring and supportive impact on the lives of countless others. Most importantly, Laura remained steadfast in her faith, confident to the end that she had earned salvation through God's grace as a result of her unwavering belief in her Savior, Jesus Christ.

A memorial service for Laura will take place at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Willoughby, providing everyone an opportunity to share in Laura's favorite hymns and Bible verses. The service will be preceded by a visitation for family and friends at the church at 10 a.m. After the service, all are invited to a light luncheon at the church. Private interment will be in Willoughby Municipal Cemetery on Lake Shore Boulevard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to LWML c/o Trinity Lutheran Church, 37728 Euclid Ave, Willoughby, OH 44094 or at Donate Online - Lutheran Women's Missionary League.