Raymond J. Meerian

Raymond J. Meerian, 89, of Hanover, KS, died Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the Hanover Hospital. Visitation was Tuesday, October 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Hanover Mortuary. A rosary service was held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, at St. John's Catholic Church, Hanover. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 23, at St. John's Catholic Church, Hanover. The pallbearers were Paul Alexander, Dave Turk, Ron Hodgson, Jim Zarybnicky, Danny Bruna and Andy Bruna. The honorary pallbearers were Danny Wyckoff, Frank Wyckoff, Ron Wyckoff, Chad Alexander, Mike Moeschler, Brian Moeschler and Dan Moeschler. Burial was in St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Hanover. Raymond was born on June 27, 1924 at the family farm west of Bremen, KS, to Frank J. and Rose (Ruhkamp) Meerian. He lived on the farm when he was a young boy until his mother passed away and his father and siblings moved to Hanover, where he attended St. John's Catholic School. Ray served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII (1943-46) as a Staff Sergeant and was in the European Theatre of Operations Base Command, where he received several citations. On May 2, 1964, Ray was united in marriage to Rosalie Witkowski at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Beatrice, NE. Ray worked on the Burlington Northern Railroad as a laborer, foreman and section gang foreman, retiring after 43 years of service. He enjoyed the friendships he developed over his career and often spoke of his friends with appreciation. He took great pride in his large garden he had for decades and liked to share his bounty with friends and family. His favorite pastimes were playing cards and hunting and fishing with his brother, children and friends. Ray was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He was an honorary life member of the Hanover Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees. Preceding him in death were his parents, Frank and Rose Meerian; step-mother, Mabel (Rowland) Meerian; brother, Richard Meerian; and sisters, Viola Wyckoff and Ilean Turk. Surviving him are his wife, Rosalie, Hanover; children, Elizabeth (Liz) Meerian, Branson, MO, Frank Meerian, Hanover, Randy Meerian and wife Shauna, Gretna, NE; and three grandchildren, Clarissa, Allison and Benjamin Meerian, Gretna, NE. A memorial fund is established in his name and will be designated by the family at a later time. Contributions may be sent in care of the Hanover Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Raymond J. Meerian, please visit our flower store.