Randy A. Meyer, 56, of rural Witt, died on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, after battling a very rare and aggressive myeloma cancer.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Nokomis. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 13, beginning at 2 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Nokomis Cemetery in Nokomis. The family asks that all former FFA members to bring or wear their FFA jackets. Sutton Funeral Home in Nokomis is assisting the family.
Mr. Meyer was born on Oct. 27, 1964, in Salem to Donald and Mildred (Burge) Meyer.
A graduate of Kinmundy-Alma High School, he graduated from Lake Land Community College and later from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in ag education. He taught agriculture and VoAg for 33 years at Nokomis High School, until his retirement in 2020.
A caring teacher, Mr. Meyer was always encouraging students to do their best. Students often remarked they would never forget his classes. As a passionate FFA advisor, he guided many students to success at chapter, section, district, state and national levels. During his career, he served the FFA in numerous ways and received several advisor and teaching awards in his career. His influence also extended to teachers throughout the state.
In addition to his work in the schools, Mr. Meyer loved all things farming. He farmed both where he lived in rural Witt, as well as where he grew up in Alma. His ability to see a problem and follow through fixing it was second to none. Mr. Meyer enjoyed going to cattle sales and shows and traveled many miles with a trailer. His influence with young people and all the support and help for others will be greatly missed by family and many others in multiple ways.
Mr. Meyer is survived by his wife, Joan (Ruppert) Meyer, whom he married in 1993; children from his first marriage, Kristopher (Carol) Meyer of Salem and Abbey (Landon) Tate of rural Texico; Joan’s children, Chad (Andrea) Ruppert of Witt, Beth (Brad) Dorsey of Moro, Norann Ruppert of Nokomis and Jordan (Randee) Ruppert of Witt; grandchildren Brooks Moreland, Dominic and Darian Ruppert, Drew DeClerck, Claire and Jemma Dorsey, Laurel Forrester, Jocelyn and Paislee Ruppert and Rylee and Kynlee Neff; brothers Roger (Renae) Meyer and Richard Meyer of Alma; and several nieces, nephews and in-laws.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ron, and an infant sister, Rhonda.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Randy Meyer Memorial Fund for future scholarships to deserving ag and vocational students.
Online condolences may be left at suttonmemorialhome.com.
