- Date Of Birth: February 16, 1923
- Date Of Death: May 26, 2017
- State: Illinois
Eileen L. Meyer, 94, of Arenzville, IL died Friday, May 26, 2017, at Jacksonville Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Jacksonville. She was born February 16, 1923, in her rural country home in Arenzville, the daughter of Albert and Alma Wessler Witte. At the age of 5, Eileen began her education in the local Burrus Community schoolhouse, later graduating from Arenzville School and Brown’s Business College in Jacksonville. After her first job at the local Farm Bureau, Eileen was asked to teach primary grades at Trinity Lutheran School in Arenzville.
She met her husband, Lawrence E. Meyer, at a church picnic and became engaged during the time she taught school. While courting, Lawrence was known to show up early to start the furnace at school. They were married on June 18, 1944 at Trinity Lutheran Church and he preceded her in death on December 10, 1999.
Eileen is survived by three children, Sharon Dufelmeier (husband, Merle) of rural Jacksonville, Bernard Meyer (wife, Kate) of Arenzville, and Betty Six (husband, John) of rural Chapin; 12 grandchildren, Aaron (Amy) Dufelmeier of Jacksonville, Nathan Dufelmeier of Jacksonville, Julianne (Jon) Reimer of Lexington, Kenneth (Allison) Dufelmeier of Jacksonville, Neal (Kelly) Meyer of Arenzville, Christian (Meghan) Meyer of Arenzville, Cory Meyer of Arenzville, Benjamin (Genny) Six of Chapin, Bethany (Joshua) Daugherty of Seymour, IN, Breanna (Adam) Winkelman of Arenzville, Brian (Katelin) Six of Chapin, and Brandon Six of Chapin; 14 great-grandchildren; and a sister in law, Roberta Meyer of Jacksonville. She was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Helen Meyer, and a granddaughter, Allison Meyer.
Passionate about helping others, Eileen loved to assist her husband with their farming operation and helped raise not only her children, but her grandchildren as well. The grandchildren were always fond of grandma’s cheeseburgers, malts, and cookies. In her youth, Eileen learned to play the accordion and entertained her grandchildren by performing at family gatherings.
A devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church, she served as a Sunday School teacher, and Sunday School pianist, and was a member of LWML. She enjoyed attending the Learning Together Country Bible class and the Explorers Bible Study. Following her husband’s death, Eileen became a dedicated volunteer for Passavant Hospital.
