Rudolph C. "Rudy" Meyer's Obituary
Rudolph Charles "Rudy" Meyer, age 92 of Oshkosh, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2009 in the Bethel Home. Rudy was born in Oshkosh on June 3, 1916, the son of Otto and Anna (Panoch) Meyer. He was a member of St. John Catholic Church where he was an usher, a Communion Distributor, a server for funerals, gave Communion to shut-ins and was on the Parish Council. He married Mary Jane Kolf on April 7, 1941. She preceded him in death on May 31, 1952. He then married Carol Binder on September 19, 1953. He was employed at the Wisconsin Axle Corp., and was on the Oshkosh Police Force. He then operated "Rudy's South Side Shell." Rudy also worked for the City of Oshkosh Street Department until his retirement in Febrary, 1983. He was a World War II Army veteran and one of the originial organizers of the AMVETS in Oshkosh, serving one term as commander. He was also a member of the Knighs of Columbus, Catholic War Veterans, Catholic Order of Foresters and was one of the original organizers of the Oshkosh Seniors Summer Olympics. He was active in many sports, playing hardball with Hour Tavern, City Cab and Oshkosh Merchants. He also played softball for Ed Mueller, his very good friend, as a pitcher on the Mueller Shell Team for seven years - six of those years as consecutive champions. He was also a member of the Softball Hall of Fame and the Bowling Hall of Fame having bowled in many leagues. He played in the St. Vincent Dartball League, Monday Night Horseshoe Leauge and truly enjoyed his many years in the Far Vu Monday Retirees Golf League with his buddies, Les and Bob Frank and the late Don Hamann. He was the president of the Mens Bowling Association, a member of the Smitz Club, the Parks Advisory Board, the County Board of Supervisors for seven years and was on the Softball Commission for 13 years. He spent many hours outside in the yard or in his garden. He was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan -- hitch-hicking from Oshkosh to Chicago at the age of 17 and spending the night sleeping in a park to see the Cubs play. Now he always watched TV or listen to them when they were playing. He always had "wrapped sugar-free candy" to treat his friends, favorite waitresses and especially his "little friends." Rudy is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carol; two sons: David C. Meyer and James P. (Margaret) Meyer. He is also survived by one son: Richard P. (Sandy) Meyer and a daughter: Mary Joan (Dennis) Berger from his first marriage. He is further survived by grandchildren: Susan (Brian) Stark, Deb (Michael) Hornacek, Bonnie Wood, Robert (Johna) Berger, Dennis (Mary) Berger; great-granchildren: Emma and Matthew Stark, Morgan and Landon Hornacek, Elizabeth and Zachary Berger, Rebecca and Nicole Berger and Alexandra Wood; one sister: Olga Schutzendorf; brothers- and sisters-in-law: William (Marie) Binder, Earl (Shirley) Binder, David (Carol) Kolf, Richard (Georgia) Kolf and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Besides in first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Rose.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12-Noon, Wednesday, May 8, 2009 in the St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church (St.Vincent site), 216 W. South Park Ave., with Rev. Fr. William Van De Kreeke as celebrant. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 a.m. to Noon on Wednesday in the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established. Online condolances may be made at: fissbillspoklasny.com
The family cannot express enough their deep appreciation to the Bethel Home nurses and staff on 1 East for the excellent care they gave Rudy during his stay with them.
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