John Alden Meyer, 91, of Bluffton peacefully passed away at Christian Care Retirement Community on Nov. 9, 2024.
John was born in Craigville on Dec. 20, 1932, to Joe and Josephine (Kipfer) Meyer; he was the second of three children. John was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Vernon Meyer, and is survived by his older sister, Delores Heyerly.
John graduated from Bluffton High School in 1951 and worked as a milk hauler for Gerber Dairy, delivering milk house to house. Subsequently, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. John spent part of his basic training at Camp Pickett in Virginia, then was transferred to Fort Sam Houston in Texas for further medical training. He was sent to South Korea where he served honorably as a medic in that country at various locations. He was discharged in April 1955, returning to Bluffton, where he lived the remainder of his life. John worked primarily in sales; he finally retired in his mid- 80s after working nineteen years at Masterson’s Clothing Store in Bluffton.
John and Carolyn Irene Neuenschwander were married on Nov. 11, 1956; John passed away just two days shy of their 68th anniversary. For many years, John and Carolyn were the hub of their extended family, including hosting large family gatherings in their home for holidays. He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Bluffton and lived out his faith by his daily walk in the Lord.
John enjoyed being around people. He met regularly with friends and acquaintances for coffee and conversation at local restaurants in Bluffton and always seemed to be shaking the hand of someone he recognized.
In addition to his wife, Carolyn, and sister, Delores, John is survived by four children, Mark (Inger) Meyer of McKinney, Texas, Lora (Dan) Kieser of Bluffton, Lona (Doug) Grover of Huntertown, Indiana, and Michelle (Tim) Gorman, of Fremont, Indiana. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Jonathan (Jen) Meyer, Cecily (Jesse) Russell, Stephanie (Zachery) Brown, Jerod (Jennifer) Kieser, Michael (Jodi) Grover, Anyssa (Adrian) Adams, Alyssa (Matthew) Shultz, Dayna (Evan) Turner, Clare (Derek) Van Prooyen, Reeves Johnson, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at Goodwin – Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel in Bluffton. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at the Bluffton North Apostolic Christian Church, with visitation from 9-9:45 a.m. prior to the service. Jeff Lehman and Dan Pfister will officiate. Burial will follow at the Apostolic Christian Cemetery in Adams County, with military graveside rites conducted by the United States honor guard in conjunction with the American Legion Post 111 of Bluffton.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Christian Care Retirement Community.
Online condolences may be made at www.goodwincaleharnish.com.