John Meyer

John Philip Meyer, 87, of Cape Girardeau joined his beloved Annabelle in heaven Friday, Aug. 10, 2012. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

John was born Dec. 18, 1924, in Winfield, Mo., son of Melvin Frederick Meyer and Gladys Dorothy Kerr Meyer.

John served his country in World War II. He was stationed in the Philippines and was awarded two Bronze Stars, one being a V Bronze Star. Following graduation from college, John worked for IBM in Chicago before working for Boeing in Lancaster, Calif. He joined NASA during the infancy of the space program and transferred to Cape Canaveral, Fla. During his career he worked in the propulsion division developing numerous planes, breaking the sound barrier and was actively involved in the first moon landing. He enjoyed being a glider pilot. His last employment was as a claims adjuster for State Farm Insurance in St. Charles, Mo., before he and Annabelle retired in Cape Girardeau to be near their sons.

John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He and Annabelle Fry were married July 27th, 1957, in Van Nuys, Calif., and were happily married 53 years before Annabelle passed away Jan. 9, 2011.

Loving survivors include his brother, Stephen Kearny Meyer of St. Charles; two sons, Dr. Roy Philip (Sande) Meyer and Melvin Ray Meyer, both of Cape Girardeau; two granddaughters, Tia (Mark) Rademaker of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Julie Ann Meyer of Richmond, Ky.; two grandsons, Geoffrey Smith and Gregory Smith of Cape Girardeau; and two great-grandchildren, River Roy Smith of Cape Girardeau, and Cleveland Isabelle Rademaker of Huntington Beach.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until time of service Tuesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Sam Ramdial officiating. Burial will be at St. Charles Memorial Gardens in St. Charles, with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating.

Memorials are preferred in the form of donations to First General Baptist Church, the Salvation Army or Eagles Aerie No. 3775, all in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be made at www fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.