Vernon L. Meister

Vernon L.  Meister, 86, of Benton, IL, formerly of Waterloo, IL, died February 16, 2017, in Benton, IL. He was born October 8, 1930, in St. Louis, MO.

    He is survived by his wife Ruth Ann Meister nee Schaefer; children Annette (David) McCoy, Lori Wilburn, & Denise Richardson; grandchildren Melanie (Elijah) Barnfield, Abby Wilburn, Daniel & Caleb Richardson, & Jonathan (Cherrish) McCoy; 3 great grandchildren Isabelle, Tobin, & Evangeline Barnfield; brother  Frederick Meister; brother-in-law Harvey (Marilyn) Schaefer; sisters-in-law Geri Schaefer and Doris Meister; nieces; nephews; & cousins.

    He is preceded in death by his parents Fred H. & Alvera E. (nee Schilling) Meister; in-laws Emil and Adelia (nee Anderson) Schaefer; sister Florence O. Mueller; brother Willard Meister; & brothers-in-law Clyde Schaefer and Milton Mueller; and a sister-in-law Edith (nee Law) Meister  .

    Vernon was a member of The American Legion in Waterloo, IL and Benton, IL; Masonic Lodge in Waterloo, IL and Benton, IL. He graduated from Valmeyer High School in 1949 and joined the Navy on March, 7, 1951. His service lasted nearly 4 years before he was discharged.  While on active duty Vernon got to visit New York; Pensacola, Florida; San Diego, California; and Kodiak, Alaska. Vernon was also a Tire Inspector for Continental Tire for 17 years and has been retired for 24 years. 
Vernon Meister also boasts 50 years in the Master Masonic Lodge and 50 years in the American Legion.
             Vernon had a deep love of music and enjoyed crossword puzzles. He was known to say, “If I can make someone laugh in a day, I’ve done my work.” He loved doing yard work, mowing the lawn and clearing snow in the winter.
             Vernon married Ruth Ann Meister(Schaefer) on September 28,1957 at Evangelical and Reformed Church, in Waterloo, IL.

As an expression of sympathy the family prefers memorial contributions to: 
 St. John United Church of Christ in Maeystown, IL.

Visitation:
    2 PM to 5 PM Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Quernheim Funeral Home Waterloo, IL 

Funeral:
    5 PM Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL
        Pastor Merlyn Lawrence officiating

     Vernon will be cremated and his remains will be buried at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.