Paul A. Meyers (1925-2019)

MEYERS, OLINGER, ECKSTEIN, DANNER, KANE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 4/28/2019 at 14:45:28

Paul A. Meyers, 93 of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on April 25th, 2019 at Stonehill Care Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 30th, 2019 at St. Columbkilles Catholic Church with Rev. Gabriel Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, April 29th, 2019 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a wake service will be at 4:00 p.m.

Paul was born on June 22, 1925 in Dubuque, IA son of Paul J. and Viola (Olinger) Meyers. He married Harriet Danner on Aug. 9, 1952 at St. Anthony’s Church in Dubuque. She died on July 20, 1986. He married Ruth (Eckstein) Kane on July 8, 1989 at St. Columbkille’s Church in DBQ. She died on June 21, 2003.

Paul graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in June, 1943. He served in the Navy in the South Pacific aboard the battleship, USS Washington from Nov. 1943 until his discharge Dec. 11, 1945.

He attended Loras College and graduated from the U of Iowa with a BA in 1950 and MA in School Administration in 1953. Later he did further graduate work in Science and Education at Rockford College, the U of Illinois, NIU, University of Portland Oregon and Baylor University.

Paul taught Science at Mt. Olive, IL High School for 5 years. He then moved to Rockford, IL where his career included various teaching, supervisory and administrative duties in Rockford High Schools and the Regional Office of Education. For 6 years, he was Co-director of a Federal Government Energy Project which involved teaching science and social studies teachers throughout the U.S. about energy choices in the future. He co-authored a book on America’s possible energy choices. He retired in 1985 and returned to DBQ in 1989.

In retirement, he played golf, swam, cooked, read and was an avid walker on Grandview Ave. He and Ruth travelled throughout the U.S. and other parts of the world including Italy, Germany and Ireland. He was a devoted Hawkeye fan. In his later years, Paul and his friend Ed enjoyed walking the mall together. His favorite thing was always family gatherings including weekly Friday morning donut time.

While living in Rockford, he was a member of St. Bridget Catholic Church. He had previously served on the Parish Council for St. Bernadette Church and did many fund-raising events. He was an active member of the Boylan High School Booster Club. Other organization involvements include: American Federation of Teachers, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Rockford Federation of teachers (President for several years and on numerous committees promoting bond issues, science curricular revisions and other educational endeavors), National Science Teachers Assoc., USS Washington Reunion Group. Catholic Order of Foresters, American Legion, “I” Club of U of Iowa, Loras Alumni. At age 89, he gave up being on the board at Sunnycrest.

In the past few years, Paul was honored with 2 great recognitions. He was added to the Fresno State Education Honor Wall as “Cool Science Teacher”. Paul and his lifelong friend Ed Heiberger were both awarded Quilts of Honor for their service in WWII. He also had the privilege of going on the First Honor Flight from DBQ to the see the War Memorial in Washington, DC.

Survivors include: one daughter, Sandy (Paul)Rossella of Rockford, two sons, Stephen (Pam)Meyers of Westerville, OH and Scott (MaryJo)Meyers of Woodridge, IL, one stepdaughter Dr. Nancy Kane (Dave Holt) of West Des Moines, IA, five stepsons, Terry (Linda)Kane of Encinitas, CA, Dr. Kevin (Leslie)Kane of Dubuque,IA, Rick (Mary)Kane of Minneapolis, MN, Brian (Beckie)Kane of Lake Mills, WI, Chris (Janine)Kane of Iowa City, IA. Grandchildren: Megan(David) Eaton of Columbus, IN, Maura (John)Amato of Perrysburg, OH, Sarah(Michael)Gutzwiller of Waukesha, WI, Michael (Kelley)Rossella of Rockford, IL, Amanda Meyers of West Allis, WI, Jon Meyers of Woodridge, IL and Shannon Meyers of Westerville, OH. Stepgrandchildren: Nathan Kane (fiancé Megan) of Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Nick (Dr. Adrienne)Kane of Bernard, IA, Keriann Kane of Dubuque, IA, Brendon(Ashley)Kane of Oregon, WI, Dr. Tara(Steve)Bruns of Prescott Valley, AZ, Kyle Johnson of Brownsville, MN, Dr. Erin Johnson (fiancé Dr. Michael) of Eugene OR, Hannah Kane of West Bend, WI, Neil Kane and Ellen Kane of Iowa City, IA, Emma Kane of Minneapolis, MN. Great Grandchildren: Ellie, Abby, Sophia and Tyler Eaton, Frank PAUL Amato, Willa, Anthony, Elin, Layla and Jackson Kane, Wolfgang Bruns. Also surviving are Paul’s three sisters, Dorothy Link of Carson City, NV, Mary K.-Butch Meyers of Dubuque, IA and Adele-Delly(Dick)Morris of Urbandale, IA, three brothers Bob (Sylvia)Meyers and Dick (Ginny)Meyers of Dubuque, IA and Jack (Frances)Meyers of Oceanside, CA, three sisters-in-law Peg (late Bill)Meyers, Peggy (late Tom)Meyers and Charlotte Danner-all of Dubuque, IA. as well as countless numbers of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by spouses- Harriet(1986) and Ruth(2003), his parents (Paul and Viola Meyers), his brothers Bill, Don(& Pearl) and Tom, his brother-in-law Don Link, all deceased members of the Danner and Kane families and one stepgrandson, Sean Kane.

Special thanks to Sunset Park Place for their incredible care and compassion. Also, thanks to Stonehill (esp. Aaron, Joan, Vanessa) and Hospice of DBQ for being there at the end of his journey.

The family requests no flowers. Memorials will be distributed to Paul’s favorite charities and causes.