Antoinette Helen Meyer

Antoinette “Toni” Meyer passed away 29 June 2016 at the age of 96. She was born in Toledo, Ohio December 22, 1919 to Carmine and Eleanora Testa. She grew up attending Holy Rosary Parish and was a graduate of Central Catholic High School. On May 18, 1946 she married her husband William “Bill” Meyer and was married for 45 years prior to his death in 1991. After raising her two sons, Toni spent much of her time and energy serving her church and her community. She was a member of St. Rose Parish in Perrysburg since 1976. Toni was active in the St. Rose Altar and Rosary Society, a member of their Prayer Network, helped count collections for many years, and made rosaries for Catholic missions. She was a lay distributor at St. Luke’s Hospital and the homebound for 10 years. In 1991, together with the late Rev. John Thomas, she was instrumental in establishing a 55 Plus Club for seniors of St. Rose Parish that flourished for sixteen years. She held the position of Secretary for the entire time. She also volunteered at Helping Hands of St. Louis Parish. Toni was a past President of the Loyal Christian Benevolent Association Branch 1382 and Recorder for the Toledo Senate, LCBA, for many years. She was also a member of the Salesians. For many years she was a volunteer at the former St. Anthony’s Villa and a member of the Villa League serving as publicity chair and secretary at various intervals. In 1991, Toni and her husband Bill were honored as “Family of the Year” by the Knights of Columbus Council 7978 and in 1992 she was named “Isabella of the Year” by the same Council. A former member of St. Thomas Acquinas Parish, she served as President of their Altar and Rosary Society and together with the late Fillamay Bailon, opened the first library in the parish school. She also served for a time as President of the Catholic Council of Women for the East District. Toni was a founding member of the Cardinal Stritch Band Boosters. She also loved to China paint and won numerous awards for her beautiful work. Toni was a long time member of the Toledo Craftsman’s Guild and various china painting groups. Among her other activities were work in other art and craft mediums, card playing, and cooking. Most importantly, she enjoyed spending time and hearing from her grandchildren. When the grandkids were younger, they often spent weeks with Toni and Bill during the summer or traveled with them on trips to regional attractions. Before her marriage, Toni was employed as a secretary for the former Nicholas Building Company and for the Gulf Oil Company. She was preceded in death by her husband William A. and son William R. Meyer, her parents, her brothers William and Charles Testa, and her sister Mary Riggs. Toni was intensely proud of her family. She is survived by her son Tom (Bette) Meyer, grandchildren Anthony (Jennifer) Meyer, Christopher Meyer, Andrea (Chris) Gupton, and Emily (David) Olschki, her five great-grandchildren, Phoebe Gupton, Benjamin and Elizabeth Olschki, and Gwendolyn and Bridgette Meyer, and many nieces and nephews. The last several years of her life were spent as a resident of St. Clare Commons in Perrysburg, and under the care of Hospice of Northwest Ohio. The staffs and volunteers at both of these facilities brought her peace, comfort, companionship, and loving care for which she and her family were, and are, very grateful. The family is also very appreciative of the many friends and extended family who continued to call and visit regularly after she moved from her home in Perrysburg to St. Clare Commons, especially her dear friends Jo Hogan, Teddie Theiler, and Marilyn Klein. ‘... And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40 Visitation will be from 2-8 pm on Monday, July 4, 2016 at Witzler Shank Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary, Perrysburg, Ohio (419-974-3133) where a scripture service will be held at 7 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at 10:30 pm at St. Rose Catholic Church, 215 E. Front Street, Perrysburg, Ohio, followed by internment at St. Rose Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Kateri Catholic Schools, Hospice of NW Ohio, or the donor’s charity of choice.