Lucille M. Meyer

Lucille Mary Meyer (nee’ Himmelberg), 93, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at Homestead at Hickory View, in Washington, Missouri, peacefully, with her daughter Pamela Rufkahr at her side.  She was born February 19, 1933 to the late Albert Louis and Mary Ann (nee’ Alfermann) Himmelberg at home assisted by her grandmother, the late Mary C. Alfermann (nee’ Ballmann).

She attended St. Francis Borgia Grade School and St. Francis Borgia High School.  Unable to attend college despite receiving scholarships, she worked as an x-ray technician at the hospital, and bookkeeper at several businesses in Washington.  She married Harlen W. Meyer on February 4, 1956 after he returned home from serving in the army during the Korean War.  They were married at St. Francis Borgia Church in Washington, a union that endured until he passed away in 2001.  They began a family having three children in as many years, Harlen Duane, Pamela Sue, and Frederick Alan, while living in St. Louis.  Her husband worked full time and attended St. Louis University while taking advantage of the GI Bill while Lucille managed the 28-foot mobile home (and occasionally helped Harlen with his schoolwork).  The family returned to Washington, living on Roberts Steet where their fourth child Lisa Lynne was born, and then moving to Nora Street.  Eventually moving to Asheville, North Carolina (where their youngest child Michael Ray was born), and Grant Park and Kankakee, Illinois, they returned to Missouri in 1969, living in Creve Coeur, in the county outside of St. Louis.  They returned to Washington, Missouri in 1980, moving to Krakow in 1991.  

Lucille played a large role in supporting businesses that her husband started since the mid-1970s including Washington Metal Fabricators which is still operating today.  She continued to advise her son Harlen D. Meyer after he took over running the business in 2001.  She is remembered for her quick wit, being an avid golfer, accomplished player of bridge, an engaged citizen, long-time member of St. Gertrude’s parish, enthusiastic traveler in her later years, and most importantly as matriarch of her large multi-generational family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harlen W. Meyer, her parents, Albert and Mary (nee’ Alfermann) Himmelberg, her in-laws Fred and Lydia (nee’ Bunge) Meyer, her sister Laverne and nephew Greg Schelich, siblings-in-law, Ray and Helga Meyer, Alfred and Mabel Obermark, Vic and Mildred Kleekamp, Danny and Marion Fleer, and Lora Holt.

Lucille is survived by her five children, their spouses (and grandchildren), including Harlen D. and Sue Meyer (Candice and Dane and their spouses), Pamela S. and Michael Rufkahr (Jason, Lucy, Abby, and Jaime and their spouses), Fred A. and Susan Meyer (Jessica and Breanna) as well as L. Gilstrap (Harold and Albert and their spouses), Lisa L. and Tom Bartley (Michael Thomas) and R. Compton (Robert), and Michael R. Meyer and Audra Baleisis (Amelija and Jonas).  She is also survived by her sisters Ruth Himmelberg, Marian and brother-in-law Roy Kampschroeder, and Judy and brother-in-law Rich Kandlebinder, as well as brother-in-law Ardell Schelich and 14 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. 

Memorial visitation for Lucille Meyer will be at 9 am, Monday, June 15 at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home in Washington, Missouri.  A rosary will be said in her honor at 10 am.  The funeral mass will be at 11 am at St. Gertrude’s Parish in Krakow, Missouri.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery with a lunch reception in the parish hall.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Gertrude’s or Shaw’s Nature Reserve in Gray Summit. 

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