RONALD L. MEYERS

Ronald L. Meyers Feb. 18, 1945 - July 5, 2015 PLYMOUTH - Ronald Lewis Meyers passed away at 70 years old. His death occurred at 9:24 a.m. Sunday, July 5, 2015, in the Elkhart Hospice House. Ron smoked for 57 years with no regrets and died from bladder cancer after being diagnosed in 2011. Ron was born in South Bend, Indiana, on February 18, 1945, to Adam Henry Meyers and Elayne M. (Geipel) Meyers.

He graduated from South Bend Central High School in the class of 1963. He then attended Indiana University South Bend where he earned his Associate Degree.

Ron enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1962 to 1975. From 1965 to 1966 and again from 1970 to 1971, he was stationed in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne. In 1979 he joined the U.S. Navy, finally retiring from active duty in 1987.

In 1978, before joining the Navy, he married Brenda K. (Brockus) Meyers in Las Vegas. Brenda was a beautiful woman with a heart of gold and the love of his life. When they first met, they loved to watch people dance. They even took a few free dance lessons. Ron borrowed a few lines from Richard Gere. After completing 21 years in the Military, he then continued his education to earn a Bachelor's Degree at Jones College in Jacksonville, Florida. Ron moved to Plymouth with Brenda in 1989 after his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1987. He used to say that the thing he was proudest of was that Brenda was genuinely happy to have him as her husband. Ron said he regretted he wasn't able to tell his wife about his occasional unhappiness but explained it was because he didn't want to risk hurting the person he treasured the most in the whole world. Reminiscing about those early dance lessons, Ron said: "To dance you need a partner," and he insisted his one and only partner was Brenda. He would have liked to tell her: "You don't know how good a dancer you were. We danced together for 37 years. I love you."

While residing in Plymouth, he was a car salesman while also delivering motor homes to the West Coast which allowed him to visit his military buddies along the way. Ron was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, he team bowled with Brenda, and spending time with his family who he loved dearly. He was also an animal activist, saving all animals from abuse including snakes, with the lone exception of chipmunks.

He is survived by his loving wife, Brenda; his daughter, Elizabeth Elaine "Ellie" (Michael) Lloyd of Plymouth, and their children, Leo and their new arrival in October, his daughter, Erica Nicole (Eric) Clapp of Greenwood, Indiana; his daughter Rhonda Leslie Hopf (deceased), and her children, Lyle and Dana Hopf; his sisters with whom he had a special bond: Susan (James) O'Neal of Akron, Ohio, and Lucinda "Cindy" (Arthur) Visser of South Bend, Indiana; his mother-in-law, Rosemarie Brockus; and several special nieces and nephews.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Rhonda, and his grandson, Adam Hopf.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, July 11th, at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1314 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the church following visitation with Pastor Eric M. Ahlemeyer officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the church. Per Ron's wishes, he will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery alongside his military brothers and sisters who honorably served this great country. Notes of condolence may be sent to the family through the website: www.johnson-danielson. com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jul. 9, 2015.

02/10/2023 EJS