Byron "Barney" Meinzer
March 1, 2017Share using:
Byron W. “Barney” Meinzer, 82, of Falls City, NE, passed away March 1, 2017 at Falls City. He was born in Falls City on April 16, 1934 to Paul and Pearl (Gentry) Meinzer. He grew up on a farm northeast of Falls City and attended District 29 country school and Falls City High School where he excelled in football and track. He graduated in 1951.
After high school, he worked for Burlington Northern Railroad for a couple of years and then took employment with Massman Construction driving pilings on the Missouri River. In September of 1957 he began working in the signal department of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, later becoming Union Pacific. He retired in 1999 as a signal maintainer after 43 years of service. After retirement, he assisted at tri State Truck & Tractor until January of 2017.
He married Shirley Buchholz on November 3, 1956 in Falls City and they made their home here since.
Barney served in the U.S. Army from April of 1957 to April of 1959. He was stationed at Fort Hood, TX, where he was a tank driver in the 4th Armored Division, then spent 17 months in Germany. He received the Good Conduct Medal and Sharpshooter medal.
He loved baseball, wrestling, football and hockey. He played American Legion Baseball, later on a town team then played softball. He coached PeeWee teams for 20 years, he tried to instill his zeal for the game and for life in his teams. He loved to garden and raised veggies for family and friends.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Luther Church, 20th and Towle, where he served on the church council, he was a greeter and taught a high school Sunday school class.
Barney is survived by wife, Shirley Meinzer of Falls City; sons, Marty Meinzer and his wife Dawn of York, NE; David Meinzer and his wife Amy of Omaha, NE; Bill Meinzer of Mt. Prospect, IL; brothers, Paul Meinzer and his wife Carolyn of Falls City; Richard Meinzer and his wife Ann of Falls City; five grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, one step great-grandson, and nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. at the St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Andrew Chavanak officiating. Interment will be at the Steele Cemetery. Military graveside Honors by the Falls City Ceremonial Honor Guard.
Family will receive friends on Friday, March 3, 2017 at the Dorr and Clark Funeral Home from 7:00-8-00 P.M.