Andrew Wayne 'Andy' Meyers, 01 Dec 1947 - 19 Aug 2024

MEYERS, KULA, STALLMAN, CAIN, SLEICHTER, PALUMBO, PABST, SORG, WYLIE

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 8/21/2024 at 15:12:55

Andrew Wayne “Andy” Meyers, 76, of Fairfax, Iowa took his last breath surrounded by those who loved him and will miss him most at Hospice House on August 19, 2024. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. rosary. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 26, 2024, at St. John XXIII Catholic Church. Inurnment will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, where military rites will be conducted.

Andrew Wayne Meyers was born on December 1, 1947, the son of Amos and Helen (Kula) Meyers. He was the baby of the family, with three older siblings, Judith, James, and Alyce “Sal”. His older sisters always protected him from any punishments, and he grew up living life carefree, many times with a fishing pole in hand. Andy graduated from Jefferson High School in 1966. He served in the Air Force from 1968 to 1972. Andy was a proud member of the Local 125, the Plumbers & Pipefitters Union, where he received his 50-year pin. Through his years, Andy was a longtime member of the Fairfax American Legion, an avid bowler, fisherman, and collector of all things.

Sr. Judy introduced Andy to Mary Rita Stallman in 1972. Andy and Mary Rita were wed July 4, 1974. Mary Rita would joke that she chose 7/4/74 so Andy could remember it easily. Andy and Mary Rita were blessed with three sons, Bradley & Matthew (twins), and Brian. Through their boys, Andy and Mary Rita have been blessed with three daughters-in-law, six granddaughters, one grandson, and a few grand pups.

Through Andy’s 76 years of life, he earned many nicknames … Ang, Pops, Black Eagle, Gramps, Grandpa, Blackie, Husband, but the title of “Dad” brought him the most joy. In any conversation, Andy’s eyes would sparkle bright whenever his “boys” were brought up. Every story his boys told, he laughed hardest and smiled the biggest. His boys have always walked on water in his eyes.

Andy fought his last year of cancer, stating often, he was living to get to his 50th wedding celebration with his “Sweetie Ritie”. We celebrated with a prayer service in their family room and a weekend full of family time. Andy was able to enjoy his last cribbage games with his boys that weekend. Andy and Mary Rita started keeping track of their cribbage game wins/losses in 2007 … to date, they ended in a tie, with playing 3,046 games of cribbage together.

Andy was always a doting Grandpa, full of pride and joy. He loved talking about how smart all his grandkids are, hearing their sports successes, and loved seeing each of their personalities shine. He shared a special bond with his only grandson, Peyton. They both share the same soft heart, the extreme love of fishing, and their love of Andy’s “treasures” in his room Peyton lovingly named “the Titanic”.

Meyers Family vacations have been an annual tradition full of cards, swimming, boating, and family. Andy’s favorite trip was the annual fishing trip, where his boys, his grandson, his nephews, and close friends, enjoyed sunsets, laughs, cards, and love of fishing through those years.

Andy leaves behind his incredible wife, forever his Sweetie, of 50 years, Mary Rita Meyers, his sons Brad (Jamie) of Amana, Matt (Tara) of Cedar Falls, and Brian (Danielle) of Clive, his seven grandkids, Rachel (24), Ava (18), Peyton (15), Reagan (14), Harper (13), Leah (11) and Claire (9), his sister, Sal, his brothers-in-law, Mike Stallman, Jim (Sheryl) Stallman, sisters-in-law, Linda Stallman, Sandy (Gary) Cain, and Peggy (Nick) Sleichter, several nieces and nephews, many friends, extended family members, and a few who were incredibly special to him, BT, Mike Palumbo, Todd Pabst, Dan Sorg, and all his retired pipefitter friends.

Andy is greeted in Heaven by his siblings, Sr. Judith Meyers and James Meyers, his brothers-in-law, Patrick “Red” Stallman, Jeff “Stretch” Stallman, Norm Wylie, his sister-in-law, Dorothy Stallman, his parents Amos and Helen Meyers, and his in-laws Mick and Elaine Stallman.

To all who have held our family in your prayers or stopped over during these past few months, please know you have warmed our hearts and kept us all smiling. Additionally, a heartfelt thank you to the Hospice House, primarily Kendra, Leah, Brian, and Joe, who took such great care of Andy. Donations in Andy’s memory can be made to the Fairfax Fire Department, Fairfax Legion, St. John XXIII, or the Hospice House in Hiawatha, Iowa.

Andy didn’t have an enemy in the world because of his giving and gracious heart. We encourage all of you to spread a word of happiness in his memory today and always.

Published in The Gazette on August 21, 2024.