Obit: Meyer, Theodore P. “Ted” #2 (1918 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Meyer, Wiss, Czerwionka, Kodl, Klick, Felix, Briggs, Wright, Swope, Sperl, Barrett, Needham, Coleman, Zwiefelhofer, Hartnett, Eck, Weisenburger

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 5/25/2016

Meyer, Theodore “Ted” (20 August 1918 - 17 May 2016) With Flag

Theodore (Ted) Meyer passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at Miller Alternative Care in Thorp, Wisconsin, while Rosalie, his wife of nearly 72 years was at his side. He was born the son of Frank and Freda (Wiss) Meyer on August 20, 1918, on a farm near Edson, Wisconsin. Upon completing his elementary education in Edson and working on the family farm, at the age of 21, Ted took the train to Chicago, Illinois, where he attended and graduated from Coyne Electrical School. After graduation, he worked for Westinghouse Electric in Chicago repairing electric motors.

In 1943, Ted joined the U. S. Marine Corps and was assigned to the 9th Marine Air Wing as a Corsair fighter plane electrician at Parris Island, South Carolina, putting his electrical education to use during World War II. He was honorable discharged in July of 1946.

While attending Coyne Electrical School, Ted met the love of his live, Rosalie Czerwionka, of Chicago, Illinois, and they married on July 1, 1944, in Jacksonville, Florida, while Ted was in the service. After he was discharged, they moved to Wisconsin, eventually settling in Thorp and having seven children over the years.

In 1947, they started Thorp Electric Motor Service, which they operated for thirty-seven years. After selling the business to their son Dennis in 1984, Ted continued to work there part-time, and in January 2016, Dennis sold the business to his son (and Ted’s grandson) Jeff, making Thorp Electric Motor Service one of few third-generation businesses in Thorp.

As a hard worker and great provider who cared deeply for his family, Ted’s greatest legacy to his children was a strong work ethic. His workdays in the shop were long, but he always said if you loved your job, it wasn’t work.

Ted took great pride in being a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church, the Thorp American Legion, Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society, the Thorp Volunteer Fire Department for twenty-three years, and the Clark County Community Service Board for twenty-six years.

Ted is survived by his wife, Rosalie; their children: Nancy (Raymond) Kodl, and Dennis (Arlene) Meyer of Thorp, Donna (Dennis Klick) Meyer-Klick of Boyd, WI, Mary (Jim) Felix of Greenwood, WI, Jerry (Sally) Meyer of Menomonee Falls, WI, and Frances Meyer-Briggs of Holcombe, WI; 11 grandchildren: Lindsey (Travis) Wright, Molly Meyer (Shane) Swope, Jeffrey (Trisha) Meyer, Michael (Ashley May Klick) Klick, Sarah Klick (fiancé Patrick Sperl), Andrew Flick (special friend, Jenn Barrett) Clara, Rachel (fiancé Daniel Needham), Miriam (fiancé Jeff Coleman), Tim, and Abigail Meyer; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Madeline Zwiefelhofer of Boyd, WI; one sister-in-law, Dr. Felicia (Michael Hartnett) Czerwionka of Park Ridge, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ted was preceded in death by an infant son, Teddy; his parents; parents-in-law, Ted and Rose Czerwionka; three brothers: Henry, Clayton and Baylon Meyer; brothers-in-law: Jack Zwiefelhofer, Robert Eck, Martin Weisenburger, and Ted, Reverend Francis, and Fred Czerwionka; sisters-in-law: May, Maria and Sylvia Meyer, Genevieve (Weisenburger) Eck, Irene Eck, Mary and Gladys (Dolly) Czerwionka; and his son-in-law, Brian Briggs.

Visitation was held Sunday, May 22, 2016, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Thorp Funeral Home, 110 W. School Street, and from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Monday, May 23, 2016, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Church, 11N. Church Street. Thorp, followed by a Christian Mass of Burial at 10:30 a.m., and inurnment at St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery with military rites conducted by Thorp American Legion Post 118.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Thorp American Legion 118, PO Box 421, Thorp, WI 54471, or The Highground Veterans memorial, W 7031 Ridge Rd., Neillsville, WI 54456.

Thorp Funeral Home, 110 W. School Street, in Thorp, handled the funeral arrangements.