Jerome Frederick (Jerry) Meyer was born October 22, 1946 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Frederick Martin (Wiz) Meyer and Mary Ann Drennan Meyer. He passed away 11 days short of his 80th birthday on October 11, 2026 in Kirksville, Missouri. He was baptized and confirmed in St. William Parish in Cincinnati. He was married to Lysle Lucille Bettis on November 30, 1968 in St. Mary’s Church, Albia, Iowa. Together they had four children, Karyn Leslie Walters, Jaime Lin Janes (David), Joshua Jerome Meyer and Sabra Catherine Adams (Ted).

Jerry received his education at St. William Elementary School and Elder High School in Cincinnati. He tied his father’s record of scoring 4 touchdowns in one game at Elder where his brothers were star athletes as well. He traveled to Kirksville, Missouri to attend Northeast Missouri State College, which later became Truman State University. He played four years of varsity football, and was named to the MIAA all-conference team for two years. Later he was admitted to the Truman State Football Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Truman State All-Century Team of 1900-1999. After graduating from Truman with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1969 and a Masters Degree in 1970, he returned to Cincinnati to teach and coach football at Elder High School for seven years. In 1977, he accepted a teaching/coaching position at Kirksville High School. He spent one year as an assistant coach under Larry Clemens and then served as head football coach for 12 more years. He was an assistant boys’ basketball coach and head girls’ track as well. He taught physical education, health, and drivers’ education for most of his 31 years in Kirksville. He became Transportation Director during the last part of his time at Kirksville R-III.

One of Jerry’s favorite things was officiating football and basketball games for high school and college teams. He was a member of the Northeast Missouri Officials Association and officiated for 50 years. One of the highlights of his officiating career was being selected with his crew to officiate the Class 6 title game of football in 2004 in St. Louis. He officiated his final football game at 75 years of age, the oldest active Missouri official at that time. He received the Deny Clatt Sportsmanship award for officiating in 2017.

Jerry was honored to be inducted into the Orange and Black Hall of Fame in 2013 as a coach. He was also proud of the football players from his teams who were inducted into the Hall of Fame. His years of coaching at Kirksville High School and Elder High School were so special to him. The friendships formed have been long lasting. He was fortunate to have so many fine people coaching with him and so many players who later became friends and colleagues.

Jerry was a faithful member of Mary Immaculate Church and served on the Parish Council for several years. He was also a member of Kirksville Optimist Club where he enjoyed the meetings and community activities such as putting up the Christmas garland around the square, the Oratorical Contest, and the pancake breakfast.

Jerry was a committed family man who included his children in almost everything he did and attended their activities to cheer for them and their teammates. His favorite role was being grandpa and great-grandpa to ten grandchildren and six great-grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Harry and Catherine Meyer, and John and Marian Drennan, brother Frederick (Fritz) Meyer, and sister-in-law Kathleen Meyer.

He is survived by his wife, Lysle Bettis Meyer, children, Karyn Walters, Jaime Janes, Joshua Meyer and Sabra Adams. Grandchildren Seth Walters (Paige), Carley Walters Frederick (Gareth), Elizabeth Janes Boren, Foster Janes, Hannah Meyer. Meredith Meyer, Lake Meyer, Duncan Simmons, Kellen Simmons and Olin Adams. Great grandsons include Stormy, Clinton and Stran Walters and Cohen O’Haver, Beckett and Colter Boren. Also surviving are his brother Tim (Joyce) Meyer and sister Gale (Lee Slocom) Noel, and six nieces and nephews all of Cincinnati. In addition, Jerry leaves behind his brothers-in-law Larry (Sharon) Bettis, Lloyd (Kathryn) Bettis, Les (Suzanne) Bettis and sister-in-law Linda (Vince) Sullivan with 12 nieces and nephews. Jerry loved being a part of large family gatherings and watching all the members of the family interact with each other. He tried many new experiences on the Bettis farm including riding horses for the first time. Being on the farm was a huge change after growing up in Cincinnati.

Jerry loved life and people in general and especially he loved following his faith in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Public visitation will be held Friday, October 23, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 24, 2026 at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Kirksville, with Father Joseph Luzindana presiding. Interment will follow Mass at Mary Immaculate Catholic Cemetery in Kirksville.

Honorary pallbearers are grandsons Seth Walters, Foster Janes, Duncan Simmons, Kellen Simmons, Lake Meyer, and Olin Adams.

Memorial donations in memory of Jerry may be made to the Kirksville RIII High School (C% the Athletic Department) and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.