Joe Meyer

Joe Meyer, 74, of Williamsburg, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, March 11 in his home near Fountain City.
   He was born Jerry Joe Meyer on October 7, 1938 in Richmond to Irvin S. and Helen S. Snarr Meyer. He graduated from Fountain City High School in 1956 and married the former Roma J. Mikesell on January 19, 1957.
   Joe farmed briefly in Bloomington, Illinois before moving back to Wayne County. He began working at Hayes Arboretum before switching to a position at Hayes Track and Appliance Co. in 1959. His career there took him from the drafting room to being the Vice President of Operations and part owner of the company. He invented four patented products related to railway track efficiency. Joe was a past associate member of the Railway Engineering Association and a lifetime member of the National Railway Contractors Association. After he retired in 2004, he continued to consult with Western-Cullen-Hayes.
   Joe farmed throughout his life and was an active member of many boards. He served 9 years on the Wayne County Soil and Water Board, 3 terms on the New Garden Township Advisory Board, 8 years on the Wayne County EDC, 13 years on the Eastern Indiana Development Board and 10 years on the Indiana Soybean Alliance. He was in his 9th year of service on the United Soybean Board and was currently involved with Chamber of Commerce Agriculture and Life Science Committees. He was currently serving on the Region 9 IVY Tech Board of Trustees and IVY Tech State Foundation Board.
   Joe’s work in the railway and agriculture industries took him to 28 countries. His first trip to China was in 1981 relating to railroads. His most recent trip to South China was to observe the harvesting of fish that were fed soybean protein. Joe also noticed how many of the bicycles and animal carts of the 1980’s had been replaced by Mercedes and Audis.
   Joe received the 2012 Agriculture Stewardship Award from the Wayne County Farm Bureau and was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 2011.
   Joe’s main interest was his family. He enjoyed spending time with Roma and working in many ventures with his sons as well as having his daughter nearby. He was proud to watch his grandchildren becoming useful and prosperous to their communities as they finished their studies and began their careers.
   Joe’s other interests included reading, machine tools, welding, woodworking, metal working, working on old tractors and following the livestock industry. He was an avid editorial and political writer who enjoyed enlivened discussions with old and new friends.
   Joe will be missed by his wife 56 years, Roma; daughter, Becky Owens, of Richmond; sons & daughters-in-law, Robert K. & Shelley Meyer, of Richmond; Steve Joe & Judy Meyer, of Fountain City; 4 grandchildren, Jon Meyer, Karman Meyer, Greg Meyer and Mike Meyer; 1 great-grandson, Wyatt Meyer; his special friend, Bennett Westjohn; and his faithful canine companion, Ellie B..
   Joe was preceded in death by his parents, 1 son, Michael Joe Meyer and 1 sister, Faye Waltz.
   A funeral ceremony will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 15, in the Historic Meeting House at New Garden, 1334 New Garden Road, Fountain City. Interment will follow in Willow Grove Cemetery.
   Family & friends may gather for visitation from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at the Smith & McQuiston Funeral Home, 321 US 27 South, Fountain City.
   Memorial contributions are strongly encouraged to the IVY Tech Foundation, 2357 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, IN 47374 or the Reid Foundation, 1100 Reid Parkway, Richmond, IN 47374.