Paul Meyr

Paul E. Meyr, 82, passed away Saturday, May 17, 2003 at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

An American Legion Service will be held at 7 p.m. Friends may also call after 1 p.m. Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. David Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery with a graveside military honors service.

Paul was born Jan. 22, 1921 in New Wells, Mo., son of Martin E. and Meta Bingenheimer Meyr. He and Virginia McFerron were married Dec. 29, 1946. She survives.

Other loving survivors are two sons, Gerald Meyr of Seattle, Wa., and Randy Meyr of St. Peters, Mo.; one grandson, Alex Meyr of St. Peters; one brother, Harlen Meyr of Jackson; two sisters, Erna Schattauer of Cape Girardeau and Judith Burford of Burfordville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Milton Meyr; and two sisters, Wilma Rudert and Renata Brockman.

Paul began working at his parents'' store in Pocahontas in 1934. In February 1943, he entered the U.S. Army, serving in North Africa and Italy with the Fifth Army during WWII. Honors he received include the European Theatre Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the American Theatre Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, 4-Longevity Service Medals, World War II Victory Ribbon and expert medal for MI Rifle and Carbine, and Sharp Shooter Medal for .45-caliber pistol.

Discharged in January, 1946, Paul served in the Army Reserve until 1949. He then joined the National Guard. On Jan. 22, 1981, he retired as First Sergeant E-8, with a total of 38 years of service.

A member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson since 1945, Paul was a member of the Honor Guard and had served as a First Vice Commander, Adjutant, finance officer and Sergeant of Arms.

Paul's other affiliations were a life member of VFW Post 3838, the National Guard Retired Association, a former little league baseball manager and served on the Troop 11 Boy Scout Committee. He was a member of St. Paul Church where he was an usher and served on the Stewardship Committee.

In 1949, Paul graduated from the National School of Meat Cutting in Toledo, Ohio and then worked in various local markets. He had worked at the former Montgomery Ward Store in Cape Girardeau, where he managed the clothing department for 10 years. In 1974, he began working at Procter & Gamble, retiring in 1983.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the American Heart Association.