Raymond R Meier

Raymond Meier, age 63, of Neillsville, WI died peacefully Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at St. Josephs Hospital in Marshfield, WI following a lengthy 6 year illness which he tenaciously fought against.Raymond was born November 7, 1947 in Elgin, IL to Arthur and Bessie (Rizner) Meier. Raymonds family subsequently moved to the Neillsville area where he received his education at St. Johns Lutheran School and Neillsville High School. He graduated in 1965 and shortly there after enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in which he served two tours of duty in Vietnam finishing out as a Sergeant from January 24, 1966 through January 23, 1970. Following his discharge Raymond purchased his own semi truck and trailer and was employed with Anderson Trucking Service out of St. Paul, MN. Later employment included Neillsville Coop Transport and Cenex. At one point he later purchased another semi from Wm. Glen Zilk who would ultimately become his future father-in-law. Later Raymond opted to leave the trucking days behind and he secured a Sales Agent position with Lawson Prod. Inc. out of Des Plaines, IL providing industrial, automotive maintenance specialties to routed customers. This was Rays final employment when he was forced to retire due to the onset of his disease. Raymond was united in Matrimony to Mary Jo Zilk on July 22, 1978 at St. Marys Catholic Church of which they were both members. Raymond held life-long membership to the Haugen-Richmond American Legion Post #73 in Neillsville and also was an active member in the Neillsville Saddle Tramps Horse Club.Raymonds hobbies were: fishing, hunting, trapping, ice-fishing, 4-wheeling and horseback riding. He also tremendously enjoyed the comforts and bucolic peace of his restored Victorian home and grounds. Ray worked arduously for 7 years rejuvenating and restoring his 1895 home lending his carpentry skills to reclaim its former integrity and beauty. Raymond had a sincere love for his God, his family, his home and his horses. Raymond was an honest, hard-working individual who was dependable, fatherly and responsibly cared for his wife and three sons. We all loved him dearly and his passing has left a deep untimely loss and grief. This loss has left an unfillable vacancy to all that knew and loved him. His laughter, uniqueness and manly courage will be inexplicably missed always. We know and are blessed with the knowledge that he is welcomed into his Saviors loving arms in full spiritual communion for all of eternity.Raymond is survived by his wife, Mary Jo, three sons, Tyler Joseph (Nicole) Meier of Eau Claire, WI, Seth Ayers (Michele) Meier of Granton, WI and Samuel Joel (Cara Beth) Meier of Cornell, WI, six grandchildren, Jazmin Angelle Marino, Travis John Meier, Tristen Matthew Meier, Michael Wilson, Jessy Wilson and Zoe` Mae Meier. He is also survived by a brother and two sisters, Ronald (Kelly) Meier of Rocky Ford, CO, Annette (Kenneth) Blackburn of Janesville, WI and Judith (Jerry) Quicker of Neillsville, WI. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Bessie Meier, his sister, Betty Dux and his brother, Arthur James Meier.Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, WI will be hosting a visitation for friends and relatives of Raymond on Sunday evening October 24th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Raymonds Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of his life will be held at St. Marys Catholic Church in Neillsville on Monday, October 25th commencing with the Holy Rosary at 9:00 a.m., followed by visitation at the church narthex from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., with the Catholic funeral Mass beginning at 10:30 a.m. The Celebrant will be Fr. Woodrow H. Pace at this Holy Mass.Honorary Casket Bearers are Raymonds sons, Tyler J. Meier, Seth A. Meier and Samuel J. Meier.Interment will take place at Raymonds home 1209 Lloyd St., Neillsville, WI on Rays birthday, November 7th at 1:00 p.m., for all relatives to attend with full military honors accorded to him by the Neillsville Veterans Council.In lieu of flowers the family requests Holy Masses be offered for Raymond and memorials directed to his family for future dispensation.