Rodney L. Meyer

Rodney Lloyd Meyer, age 78, was called into the waiting arms of our Loving Father on Sunday, November 8, 2020 at Community Memorial Healthcare, Marysville.

Visitation will be from Noon until 9 p.m., Wednesday, November 11 at Kinsley Mortuary, Marysville.

Pallbearers are Jay Renfro, Jay Gilliland, Brandon Weber, Neil Gates, Nathan Gates, Jack Renfro, Tommy Renfro and Brody Meyer.

A private graveside funeral service will be Thursday, November 12 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hanover.

Rodney was born on February 18, 1942, to Raymond and Martha (Kruse) Meyer, on the Meyer homeplace. Rodney was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, where he also attended parochial school through eighth grade. It was in that same church that he later married his bride of 56 years, Leona (Schramm) Meyer, who lives in their home in Marysville. They were married on a beautiful Easter Sunday afternoon, March 29, 1964, and they made their home together in Marysville, KS. Their marriage came to be an example of undying love to each of their children and many others who looked up to them.

Rodney was the beloved father of five children and their spouses, Bev and Jay Renfro of Raymore, MO; Julie and Neil Gates of Plainfield, IL; Melissa and Jay Gilliland of Holton, KS; Jeff and Maureen Meyer of Aurora, IL; and Dana and Brandon Weber of Lawrence, KS. Rodney cherished time spent with the entire family, including his nine adoring grandchildren, Jack and Tommy Renfro; Nathan and Claire Gates; Emma, Sadie, and Sophia Gilliland; and Brody and Maeve Meyer. There was never a doubt that Rodney loved each of them unconditionally and to the ends of the Earth, and he made that abundantly clear at the end of each and every conversation they had in person, on the phone, through Zoom, or on FaceTime, without fail. Rodney will be missed dearly by his sister Janice Briley and her husband Ryan; his brother-in-law Mel Schramm and wife Darla; and his sister-in-law Valeda Schramm. He’s loved and remembered by his six surviving nieces and nephews, and many great-nephews, great-nieces, and cousins who each have treasured memories and stories to tell. The loving staff at Cambridge Place in Marysville, KS, who counted him as one of their own for nearly three years, will remember him for his always kind and gentle soul.

Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Martha Meyer; his parents-in-law, Henry and Wilhelmina Schramm; an older infant brother; his grandparents, Otto and Louise Meyer and Fred and Maria Kruse; his brother and sister-in-law Paul and Evelyn Meyer; brother-in-law Norbert Schramm; and nephew Gordon Meyer. Rodney’s mother’s memoirs recounted him as a young toddler, pedaling around the kitchen table over and over again on the tricycle he had been given for Christmas one year. When he outgrew his tricycle, he moved on to a bicycle, which he promptly ran into the yard light pole as he was learning to ride it. At the young age of six, when he had been attending school for just a few months, he began riding his pony, Trigger, to school each day, along with other cousins and friends who would join him on his way. When it was time for his first car, his choice was a pink and gray ’55 Chevy.

As a teenager, Rodney began working at the Hanover Co-op, where he filled and serviced cars. Before his marriage to Leona, he became an employee at Costello’s Service Station in Marysville, KS. In 1967 Rodney began working at Herkimer Co-op as a fuel truck driver, delivering fuel to farmers and enjoying his visits with them in the process. Rodney continued working there for 30 years, until he moved to Kramer Oil in Marysville, where he worked until his retirement in 2000.

In retirement, Rodney enjoyed his days of volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity and Good Shepherd Lutheran School. Being with the kids was a bright spot in his life and in theirs too. Anyone who knew Rodney knew that he loved to visit, and that he could strike up conversation with absolutely anyone, whether that person was a dear friend, a family member, or someone he was meeting for the very first time. In these conversations, he showed genuine care for the person he was visiting with, and sincere interest in whatever they had to share. Rodney was known for the big smile that spanned his face, and that booming bass voice of his. The church pew in front of him was always a coveted spot, and his voice could be heard loud and strong in the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Choir for over 50 years. Rodney also taught Sunday School, served as an elder, and was a member of Men’s Club.

Rodney was a snare and bass drummer in the Horseshoe Farmers Band at Trinity Lutheran Church from the time he was a teenager until he retired his drumsticks 45 years later. Being a member of the band meant weekly Tuesday night band practices, and many a summer parade. Rodney had a passion for music, from polkas to favorite hymns to country music – especially Johnny Cash.

Rodney leaves behind a legacy of strength and love. He has taught his family and others how to meet life’s challenges with faith, patience, contentedness, grace, hope, a positive attitude, and of course humor. His greatest pride in life was his wife, his children, and his grandchildren. He would tell anyone who would listen what a great cook and skilled seamstress he had in his wife. The most important thing to him was that his family always love each other, no matter what. Rodney will be loved and missed always, and all who cherish him look forward to the time when they can be together again.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in the form of cash or check can be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran School and the Horseshoe Farmer’s Band Scholarship Fund. Checks should be written to Rodney Meyer Memorial and sent to the following address: Kinsley Mortuary, 1006 Broadway, Marysville, KS 66508.