Obit: John Meyer, Jr., of Manasquan, Dies

Corporal John Meyer, Jr., age 69, of Manasquan died Friday, September 13, 2013 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.  

John was born in Manhattan, NY to John Simon Meyer and Emma Mick and was raised in Freehold.  He had lived in Pt. Pleasant and East Smithfield, PA before moving to Manasquan in 1981.  John was educated in the Marines and I.B.E.W. local #358.  He was a retired Journeyman Lineman Electrician IBEW, Local #456 and Parachute Rigger. 

John was a US Marine Corps veteran serving two tours in Vietnam and was best known for inventing the repelling line for pilots during the War, which were used to rescue them from jungle tree canopies. This device has saved hundreds of pilots’ lives. He has received the Navy Commendation Medal for his invention, N.J. Distinguished Service Medal and was written about in Presidential Who’s Who in America. John was a member of the VFW, Post 1838, Manasquan, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam and Marine Corps League, Detachment 1319, Manasquan.

He was a loving husband, father, friend, family man and problem solver.  John was best known for his ability to build homes and as a union electrician. Hobbies included fishing, boating, gardening, cooking, and laughing. He also loved playing poker with his “poker buddies” on Friday nights.  John was always the go-to-guy that could solve someone’s problem and loved to help other people. He was a true Hometown Hero who will be missed.  Semper Fi, Marine!!

John is survived by his wife of 41 years, Edith Lees Ormesher Helmuth Meyer; his children, Kelly Sue Maki and her husband, Rick of Bellevue, NE, Patricia Corino and her husband, Troy of Milan, PA, Stacey J. Meyer of Canton, PA, John Michael Meyer, III and his wife, Juana Graciela  “Grace” of Manasquan; eleven grandchildren, Jeremy, Alyssa, Gavin, Jake, Ella Grace, Heather, Erica, Jordy, Jack, Christian and Alexander; a great granddaughter, Pailsee; three sisters, Florence Birdsall and her husband, Millard of Ulster, PA, Caroline Burke and her husband, Harry of Jackson and Margaret “Jeanie” Carbin and her husband, Vinnie of Freehold; a brother, Albert Meyer of Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Saturday, September 21, 2013 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM with his funeral service to follow at 5:00 PM.  Interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2310 Route 34, Suite 1D, Manasquan, NJ, 08736, in an effort to find the cure for colon cancer.  For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhomecom.