Ottawa contractor helped build space museum in Wapakoneta
8/23/2004OTTAWA, Ohio - Don J. Meyer, a World War II veteran, and past president and board chairman of E.J. Meyer and Sons, a construction company in Ottawa, died of colon cancer Saturday in his home. He was 77.
Born in Putnam County, Mr. Meyer, graduated from SS. Peter and Paul High School in Ottawa in 1944.
He married Delores Hoffman, and enlisted in the Navy as a ship engineer and was stationed on the West Coast where he stayed until the war ended.
Upon returning from the war, Mr. Meyer joined his father's firm, taking on construction jobs in counties across Ohio .
He was particularly proud of his company's work on the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio, and the Lima Bike Way and the Lima Mall, in Lima, said Larry Meyer, his son, who now runs the company.
In 1993, he was named to the Ohio Contractor Hall of Fame.
An avid reader and history buff, Mr. Meyer loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, said his daughter, Amy Hanson.
"He was a fixture in this community and we're all going to miss him," she said.
"He had a very dry sense of humor; and crossword puzzles and playing cards with his grandchildren were some of his favorite things to do," Ms. Hanson said.
"We're going to miss having him be a part of our children's lives," she said.
A member of the Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ottawa, he was involved on the parish council on which he served on the building committee.
Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Delores; son Larry; daughters, Amy Hanson, Kay Tweddel, Wendy Fessler, and 10 grandchildren.
One daughter, Terri Odenweller, is deceased.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the Love Funeral Home.
A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m tomorrow at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
The family suggests tributes be made to Putnam County Hospice or the American Cancer Society.