Ralph George Meyer, 83, of Avoca died on Monday, April 21, 2008 at his home in Avoca. He was born on Aug. 26, 1924 in rural Nehawka, the son of George and Theresa (Sand) Meyer.

He graduated from Avoca High School in 1942 then farmed near Nehawka. He married Barbara Ann Curry on Jan. 22, 1949 at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Omaha.

Ralph’s life centered around his church, family and farming. He was a life-long member of Holy Trinity Catholic church of Avoca, where he served as a church trustee. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Avoca Lions Club.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann (Curry) Meyer of Avoca, and eight children and their families (which includes 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren): Donna Brandon and husband William of Jacksonville, Fla., and their three children, Daniel Brandon and wife Laura (children William and Brooke), Michael Brandon and wife Lisa (child Irick), and Kristy Brandon; Dean Meyer and wife Roxann of Omaha and their children, Michelle and Matthew Meyer, Wayne Meyer and wife Judy of Avoca, and their children, Andrea and Ryan Meyer; Linda Bohan and husband Michael of Portland, Ore., and their son Connor Bohan; William Meyer and wife Nadine of Avoca and their children Wade, Drew and Bryce Meyer; Rita Potter and husband Michael of Omaha and their children Tom, Elizabeth and Kathryn Potter; Mary Beth Lowe and husband Timothy of Kearney and their children Nathaniel, James and Thomas Lowe; Thomas Meyer and wife Jennifer of Avoca and their daughter Brianna Meyer.

He is also survived by his siblings: Roy and wife Floy Meyer, Lomita, Calif.; Loretta Linhardt of Gretna, Merle and wife Oqual Meyer of Nehawka, John Meyer of Syracuse, Carroll and wife Angeline of Avoca, James and wife Joan of Avoca, and Richard and wife Luella Meyer of Weeping Water; and sister-in-law Woma Meyer of Garden Grove, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents George and Theresa (Sand) Meyer, and brothers Donald and Hubert Meyer.

Visitation at the Gude Mortuary in Nebraska City will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday. Visitation with the family will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, southeast of Avoca with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Parish Rosary at 7 p.m.

The funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Paulinus Catholic Church in Syracuse. Burial will be in the Holy Trinity Catholic Church Cemetery, southeast Avoca.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Parkinson’s Association or the family’s choice.

Gude Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.

To send a condolence log on to www.gudefuneralhomes.com.