Ronald Meyer

Ronald (Ron) S. Meyer passed away unexpectedly on May 25, 2025. Ron was born January 28, 1944, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to the late Ralph T. and Sylvia R. (Schwoerer) Meyer. He grew up in a home in the center of Kiel where sporting events with neighbor kids took priority. The Broadway Street manhole cover was home plate and the street signs were the bases. Ron attended Ss. Peter and Paul grade school and graduated from Kiel High School in 1962.
Ron was drafted into the Army in 1965. He received the Purple Heart Commendation Letter, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense service Medal and Sharpshooter.
A month after he got out of the Army, Ron reunited with one of his Vietnam buddies. The two traveled to Timber Lodge in Manitowoc in his 1965 Mustang. There he met the love of his life, Susan Schroeder, a student nurse. They married September 13, 1969 at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Manitowoc and then raised four wonderful children whom he was very proud of.
Ron worked briefly for the Calumet Co. Sheriff's Department as a dispatcher before being hired by the Kiel Police Department on January 6, 1969. He rose through the ranks and was appointed Chief of Police on July 1, 1995. One of his memorable accomplishments was starting the safety patrol program that rewarded students with a trip to Washington DC. He was instrumental in ensuring students were educated in bicycle safety and babysitting courses. He retired from law enforcement on July 1, 2001.
Ron was a generous man who had great deal of pride in his community. He served on the Kiel City Council for 12 years. He was a member of VFW Post 6707 since leaving the Army. He served as Commander, Adjutant and was a member of the color guard that marched with the Kiel Municipal Band. He was very proud of his son Chad continuing the family's military service. In 2023, Ron went on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with his son Brian. This is one of Ron's most cherished memories, especially seeing his family and friends on his return.
He was an active member of Ss. Peter and Paul parish, Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent de Paul. From his countless hours at St Vinnies, he shared with his family his many wonderful purchases. He was quick to help a neighbor or friend in need, always giving of himself unconditionally.
Ron shared friendly banter with many friends at Cal's Coffee Shop and later McDonalds. Upon his return home, he would share his new found wisdom with Sue and she would marvel at his knowledge.
Ron loved playing sheepshead and usually had most of the chips at the end. He was known to pass along guidance to his grandchildren and to anyone who would listen. This included insights and details regarding Mustangs especially old ones. He restored a 1965 Mustang, one very similar to the Mustang that he had on his first date with his "best friend" and wife Susan. In his younger days, the driveway became a court of memories, where he loved playing basketball with his brothers, neighbors and children. He had a digital memory for the oldies music knowing what year and where he was the year the song debuted.
He enjoyed watching his daughter Angie play college sports, which sparked a lifelong love of cheering from the sidelines, a love that only deepened as he watched his grandchildren's many events. Enjoying his grandchildren was his greatest joy. He loved being able to stream their sporting events online and never missed a chance to attend in person to cheer them on.
He also cherished family road trips across the country in the station wagon. Julie learned her excellent driving skills early, most notably, how to switch drivers at 55 mph. She became a pro at keeping her younger siblings in line while their parents made the daring swap. During the long stretches of highway, Ron would pass the time teaching his kids the license plate game as they drove, always searching for fellow cheeseheads.
Ron was an avid gardener proudly teaching his grandkids the difference between weeds and plants and how to avoid touching the manure. One of his unique skills was growing grapes, which turned to wine, which turned to many happy nights. He enjoyed helping Susan in the kitchen making their famous pickles, tomato juice, "Grandpa's" applesauce, chili, Christmas candy, and growing horseradish that he would caution "Be careful that will grow hair on your chest."
Ron is survived by his wife Susan of 55 years, children Julie (Bill) Kraus of Elkhart Lake, Brian (Vicki) Meyer of Kiel, Chad (Shannan) Meyer of Cedarburg, and Angela (Peter) Karle of Sheboygan. Grandchildren Callah Kraus, Jake Kraus (fiancé Ruth Schroeder), Macy (Aaron) Turba, Max Kraus, Carleen, Halle and Vincent Meyer, Tarryn (Nick) Zerbinos, Liam and Quinn Meyer, Benjamin, Michael, and Leah Karle. Great grandchildren Finn and Killian Zerbinos. His siblings, Michael (Elizabeth) Meyer, Donna (Paul) Peot, Jane (Jeff) Shackleton, brothers-in-law Roger (Mary Ann) Schroeder, Joel Schweitzer, and many nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Sylvia Meyer, his in-laws Ernest and Clara Schroeder, his siblings Brenda Schweitzer and Terry Meyer (Beth Binash), sister-in-law Kathy (Don) Schwoerer, and grandson Samuel Kraus.
Funeral Mass for Ron will be held at 11:00am on Friday May 30, 2025 at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church (423 Fremont St. Kiel) Burial with Full Military Honors will follow in the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery. A time of visitation will take place on Thursday from 3:00pm until 7:00pm at the Meiselwitz-Vollstedt-DeTroye Funeral Home (815 6th St. Kiel) Visitation will continue on Friday at CHURCH from 9:00am until 10:30am when we will have brief family rites before Mass begins at 11:00am
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in his name.