DeWayne Raymond Meyer

DeWayne Raymond Meyer was born on March 7, 1929 in River Falls, Wisconsin. He passed away in his home on June 7, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Marie Meyer. With the exception of his time traveling with the Marine Corps, he lived all of his 96 years in River Falls.

DeWayne spent the vast majority of his life in River Falls. Upon graduation from River Falls Schools, he enrolled into the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. This took a pause as he became a member of the United States Marine Corps in January of 1948 until his honorable discharge in January of 1952.

After having some life guidance through his experience in the Marine Corps, DeWayne went back to UWRF where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in education. Shortly after his graduation, Lawrence Dawson hired him to teach for the River Falls school district. While teaching he received his master’s degree from the University of Minnesota and remained a part of the River Falls district his entire career with nine years as a teacher and 27 years as a principal at River Falls Junior High. Between his life as a student and as a professional he spend 48 years of his life in the same building! His leadership in administration led to River Falls Junior High becoming River Falls Middle School. DeWayne was a pioneer of the new middle school direction in the state of Wisconsin and elsewhere. Upon his retirement in 1992, River Falls Middle School was renamed Meyer Middle School in his honor.

DeWayne Meyer was a regular Thursday night bowler and junior bowling coach at Bud’s Lanes. He started playing golf in 1947, playing regularly and as often as possible, shooting his age from age 74-91. In his retirement he continued mentoring teachers as a student teacher supervisor through UWRF. He also continued to serve in the community by participating on the board for the River Falls Police and Fire Commission as well as the Ambulance Board, and as an active and devoted member of St. Bridget’s Church. He also took plenty of time to golf, complete puzzles, read voraciously, spend time with family, and sweepstake his family into many prizes.

DeWayne is survived by his wife Suzanne, sister Marse Branigan, son Tim (Sandra) Meyer, daughter Mindy Meyer, daughter Karen (Terry) Duchow, son Paul Meyer, and sixteen grand and great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00am on Friday, June 13, 2025, at St Bridget Catholic Church: 211 Division St. River Fall, WI 54022. A Visitation will take place from 4:00pm to 7:00pm on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at St. Bridget’s. A visitation will be one hour before the Mass on Friday. He will be laid to rest at St. Bridget Catholic Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Legion Post 121 Scholarship Fund and the River Falls Sunshine Fund.

Our entire family has heartfelt gratitude for his caregivers these past few years through Adoray Home Health and Hospice as well as Touching Hearts at Home. Your care, kindness, and respect for him are deeply appreciated.

Services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services of River Falls. For more information please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com, or give a call 715-425-5644.