Obituary for Frederick Meyer, Jr.

After living an extraordinary life filled with accomplishment, love, joy, and passion, Fred W. Meyer, Jr. passed away January 1, 2010.
Mr. Meyer was born January 7, 1924 in Fair Haven, Michigan to Fred W. Meyer and Gladys Marshall Meyer. He graduated from Michigan State University, School of Business Administration in 1946. After graduation from college, he entered the cemetery business. From 1953 until 2004, he was the owner and developer of a number of cemeteries and funeral homes throughout the Midwest and South, with the corporate office located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
He was a charter member and the first President of the Pre-Arrangement Interment Association of America, Inc. He was also a past President of the Indiana Cemetery Association and the Cemetery Association of Tennessee. He was affiliated with the National Association of Cemeteries, the American Cemetery Association, the National Sales Executives and the American Institute of Management, as well as the Directors Club of Great Britain. He served as an advisor to Senator Vance Hartke and the Veterans' Affairs Committee of the United States Senate. While serving on this committee, Mr. Meyer traveled throughout the world visiting National Cemeteries providing his expert knowledge on maintaining the highest standards for our Veterans' final resting places.
He was a member of the Gamma Psi Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was a member of Phi Kappa Delta Forensic Honorary. He was listed in Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in the Midwest, and Who's Who in Commerce and Industry. He was a past Chairman and Trustee Emeritus of the Morris Animal Foundation, working tirelessly to improve the health and well being of companion animals and wildlife. He was a past President of the Great Dane Club of America, past secretary of the Hoosier Kennel Club, past President of the Hoosier Great Dane Club, and a member of the American Kennel Club. He was active in Little League Baseball and was past President of the Orchard Little League in Indianapolis and served as director of the Central Indiana Council of Little League. He served as a councilman of Pleasant View Lutheran Church, serving on numerous committees.
Mr. Meyer enjoyed sports, having played both football and baseball, and running track while at Michigan State University. He also enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing, and showing his beloved Great Dane dogs. He was a member of Meridian Hills Country Club and a past member of Woodland Country Club and Ocean Reef Club of Key Largo, Florida.
Mr. Meyer received many honors in his life, including being named a Sagamore of the Wabash (twice), a Kentucky Colonel, and a Duke of Paducah. As a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity he was a Life "Loyal Sig" and was named a "Significant Sig" honoring his many accomplishments in his field of endeavor.
In 1946, Mr. Meyer married the love of his life, Evelyn Jean Hope, on August 5, 1946; she preceded him in death on October 13, 2002. They were the parents of four children, Fred W. Meyer, III (Ann) of Fort Myers, Florida, Thomas Ernest Meyer (Kristy) of Indianapolis, James Roger Meyer (Mary Ann) of Carmel, and Nancy Jean Cade (John) of Pikeville, Kentucky.
There are seven grandchildren, John David (Beth) Meyer of Greenwood, Frederick William Meyer, IV (April) of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Julie Meyer Arnold (Brian) of Noblesville, Thomas Bradley Meyer (Tara) of Los Angeles, California, William Daniel Meyer (Jennifer) of Delray Beach, Florida, Lindsay Ann Meyer of Indianapolis, and Wendy Meyer Perry (Chris) of Orlando, Florida; and four great-grandchildren, Sydney Meyer, Morgan Meyer, Sophie Arnold, and Greg Arnold.
He is survived by a brother, Donald Meyer (Norma) of East China, Michigan and a sister, Ruth Marion Meyer of East China, Michigan. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph Marshall Meyer.
The Reverend Mel Schroeder will conduct a service Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 11 A.M. at Pleasant View Lutheran Church, 801 West 73rd Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46260. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 6, 2010 from 5 P.M. until 8 P.M. at the church. Entombment will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant View Lutheran Church, 801 West 73rd Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46260 or to the Morris Animal Foundation, 10200 East Girard Avenue, Suite B430, Denver, Colorado 80231.
Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 S. Morton Street (US 31), Franklin, Indiana 46131 is handling the arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.
Information: 317-738-0202

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