Ronald Meier

For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

May 30, 2026, just 27 days after his 95th birthday, Reverend Ronald Wesley Meier was granted his wish and entered his heavenly home.

A son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, pastor and friend, Ronald was born May 3,1931 in Arlington Heights, Illinois to Raymond and Elta Meier. He married his love and help-mate for life, JoAnn Hildegard Schulze on December 6, 1952 in Bensenville, Illinois. They were blessed with 73 years of loving support and devotion.

Schooling included Saint John Lutheran (1936-44), Arlington Heights High School (1944-47), Marengo High School (1947-48), University of Illinois (1948-49) and Concordia Seminary in Springfield, Illinois (1961-65).

Before he was called to enter the ministry, Ronald farmed in Northern Illinois (1952-61). He also managed Elburn, Illinois Feedmill (1957-61). 1955-56 he served in the army in Colorado Springs.

It’s hard to imagine how many lives “Pastor Meier” touched…how many baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals he performed in his 60 years of service in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, first in Monticello, Indiana (1965-69) and then in Oshkosh at Trinity Lutheran (1969-96).

Vacation time was usually spent traveling with his wife and five children exploring the US and camping. He was an avid reader and treasured time with JoAnn on their pontoon boat in retirement. Many canoe trips to the boundary waters, several trips to the Holy Land and a genealogy trip to Germany with his grandson, Mark, among other places were highlights of his life.

Ronald is survived by his wife, JoAnn; sister Jeanette Marti; children Kurt(Cindy) Meier, Melodie (special friend Bob Gustison) Hoenecke, Mark (Karla) Meier, Laura (Monty) Giffin, Todd (Kris) Meier; grandchildren Emily (Tom) Tetting, Krei(Sarah) Meier, Bret (Alyssa) Meier, Heather(Joel) Hauser, Faith (Owen) Hoenecke, Luke (Andrea) Hoenecke, Rachel (Jeff) Maurer, Mark (Sarah) MeierJr., Angela(Josias) Marin, Nathan(Sarah) Meier, Janalee (James) Kite, Sara (Matthew) West, Morgan Meier, Austin (Charisse) Meier, 31 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Raymond and Elta Meier; brother Lynwood Meier; and his grandson, Zachary Giffin.

Visitations will be Sunday, June 7 from 4-6pm and June 8 from 9-11am before the service at 11am at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2450 W. Ninth Street, Oshkosh.

A memorial has been established in Ronald’s honor.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff in Manor View at Evergreen. They showed him great compassion and love in the months he was there.

We look forward to joining him with Jesus in the Resurrection.