Ione E. Meyer

Ione Ethel Meyer, 99, of Battle Creek passed away at Trudy's Home on Saturday, April 27, 2013; where she was treated like family and received tender care and love the past two years.

She was born September 19, 1913 in Bay City, Michigan the only child of Lone and Ruth Carrie (O'Brien) Daines. She grew up in Battle Creek and was a 1933 graduate of St. Philip High School. Ione received her Registered Nursing Degree from Leila Hospital School of Nursing. She was the Head Nurse at Post Products Division of General Foods Corporation for six years. Elmer Fred Meyer, who served with the U.S. Army Air Corp was transferred to Ft. Custer during WWII and he met Ione. Elmer and Ione were married in Ft. Custer Chapel on August 14, 1942. After serving in SE Asia, Elmer and Ione founded, owned and operated Meyer's Toy World from 1947; until retiring in 1982 to Clearwater, FL. Meyer's Toy World is currently operated by their son, Fred and his wife, Patty and a very gracious staff.

Ione was preceded in death by Elmer, her husband of 56 years on December 10, 1998. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ruth Meyer Austin and David Austin of Portland, OR; her son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Patty Meyer of Battle Creek; six grandchildren, Carrie Austin (Craig) Prunty, Cody (Dana) Meyer, Cristie Austin Ford, Jennie Meyer (Paul) Silva, Adrienne Sohlich, David Meyer Austin; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Ione was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church and was an honorary member of St. Philip Guild. She was a former member of the Library Committee and numerous other committees at NorthPointe Woods, where she enjoyed living with old and new friends for 10 years. Ione was a member of the Leila Nurses Alumni. She enjoyed boating, dancing and crafts. Ione loved her family and was a loving, informed and steadfast mother and family matriarch.

Friends will be received by Ione's family 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2013. Entombment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trudy's Home, 128 Eastway Place, Battle Creek, MI 49015. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.