Wesley Lee Meyer, 63, of rural Hiawatha passed away with his family and close friends by his side on April 4,2020.
Wes was born December 7, 1956 in Horton, Kansas to Roland and Thelma (Slater) Meyer the youngest one of three children.
He grew up on the farm and attended Hiawatha Schools, graduating with the class of 1974. After graduation he worked on the farm till 1984 when he moved to Fort Scott, Kansas where he was the owner of a convenient store until 1985. He moved back to the farm in 1987 when he started his lifelong employment at Hiawatha Implement where he earned the Master Service Technician Certificate. He retired in 2019.During his time at Hiawatha Implement, he was also the owner and operator of Meyer Custom Bailing for several years, raised cattle and in his spare time, worked on tractors for area farmers and friends in his shop. Wes was also in an investment club. While some people worked to live, Wes lived to work.
Wes enjoyed river float trips with close friends, parties and get togethers in his shop. His shop was his home away from home. As well as four wheeling with his best friend, Alvin Waggoner, carving names into limestone rocks, a very special talent, and shooting pool. He started shooting pool at a very young age at Strahan’s Recreation in Hiawatha. And he continued shooting on Pool Leagues with Arley Hedrick, Jim Siebenmorgan, Chris Torkelson, Ed Brassfield, Bob Smith, and sometimes even his wife, Theresa. He laid his pool stick down five years ago when cancer wouldn’t allow him to shoot any more. Brady Chadwell was a close friend and a serious business partner and was very helpful till the very end. Wes loved farming, bailing hay, raising cattle and the pride of his life, his grandchildren. A quote from Jaxon, ”grandpa can fix it, he can fix anything”.
Wes and Theresa Hammersmith were married on September 28, 2012 . She survives of the home. Also surviving is a daughter Jennifer (Pennington) Blauw and her husband, Jeff of Olathe, Kansas. Two Step-sons, Christopher and (Courtney) Torkelson Horton, Kansas and Ryan and (Kelle) Meininger of Hiawatha,Kansas. his grandhildren Corbin, Harper and Paisley Blauw. His step-grandchildren, Joshua Smith, Jaxon and Jhett Torkelson. Also, surviving is one niece Tammy Terveer and a sister-in-law Ella Lewis Hiawatha, Kansas, and a host of great nieces and nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert who passed away in 1953, his sister, Ramona (Meyer) Kinsley in 2004 and two nephews, Gary Kinsley in 1976 and Greg Kinsley in 2019.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday April 8th from 10-4. A private family graveside will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Muscotah Cancer Support Group or Freedom Hospice and may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home 124 S. 7th Street Hiawatha, Kansas 66434.
Due to the critical situation our country is in please remember the family during this difficult time. Consider sending a card or a note on our web site www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com.
