Edward L. Meister, 87, of Peoria passed away at 5:45 p.m. Friday, July, 19, 2013, at his residence with his loving family by his side.
He was born Sept. 10, 1925, in Chicago to David W. and Lillian M. (Kaufman) Meister Sr. He married Bernetta "Bernie" J. Pascoe on Sept. 16, 1949, in Peoria. She survives.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Edward C. (Dana) Meister, Robert A. (Tonia) Meister and Scott R. (Kathy) Meister, all of Peoria; and two daughters, Ellen I. (Leon) Robison of Mapleton and Martha J. (Gordon) Steffen of Peoria. Also surviving are 22 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
His parents; four brothers, David Jr., Raymond, Paul and Walter; and one sister, Janet, preceded him in death.
Our father's life is best defined by his abiding love of the Creator and his family. We who knew and loved him will be forever grateful for the testimony of our father's daily conduct that bore faithful witness to that which he cherished: his God and church, his precious wife, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all those who experienced need or suffering.
Our father, for all our lives together, deeply adored our dear mother. Moments after she so tenderly verbalized her gratitude to him for being such a wonderful partner for 64 years, he would peacefully take his last earthly breath.
He felt so privileged to serve his beloved Apostolic Christian Church in the role of song leader, teacher of an adult Bible class, Sunday school teacher and as a choir director and faithful brother. His love of God and fellow man would lead him to lend his time and talents to the service of several community missions: Peoria Rescue Mission, South Side Mission and Faith, Hope and Love.
He co-founded, with his much loved brother Paul, the Berean Prison Ministry, whose mission is to bring the message of the Word of God to those imprisoned. The fulfillment of this mission would be a source of immeasurable joy to him even as he offered guidance in his final days. He possessed a great love of music; he was an accomplished musician, a member (with his lifetime friend Bill Altorfer and cousin Ben) of the Pals of the Saddle Cowboy Band, and a member of the Brothers of Harmony Gospel Quartet. Another lifelong passion was his appreciation for the majesty of the mountains and the challenge of mountain climbing.
He was employed in the mechanical contracting industry for 63 years, and he served as the executive vice president of The Meyer Furnace Company, then as the executive vice president of Meister Brothers Inc. and was the founder and CEO of TEMCO.
The family would like to express our deepest appreciation to the physicians and staff who so capably and compassionately orchestrated his medical care. We offer our heartfelt gratitude for the kind support of those who steadfastly and generously shared their God-given gifts to help him fulfill his life's mission. We loved you, Dad, and we will see you soon.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at the Peoria Apostolic Christian Church with the church ministers officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, both at the Peoria Apostolic Christian Church. Burial will be in the Peoria Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery near Edwards. Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Berean Prison Ministry, P.O. Box 761, Peoria, IL 61652-9950.
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