Harvin D. Meyer

Harvin D. Meyer passed away peacefully at Creekside Assisted Living Facility in Grundy Center, Iowa, on Tuesday, November 22nd, at the age of 86.

Harvin was born on January 31, 1936, to Harm H. and Johanna (Luppen) Meyer at the Marshalltown Community Hospital. He grew up on a farm east of Wellsburg, Iowa, the oldest of two sons. Harvin lost his mother at the age of 5 and matured quickly to assist in raising his younger brother, Larry, and helping his dad on the farm. He attended country school until grade 8 and then attended Wellsburg High School, graduating in 1954. Harvin “Clip” Meyer was a well-loved classmate and enjoyed participating in high school plays. He wanted to play baseball but with duty to his father, farming came first. His nickname ‘Clip’ came from ‘clip-clop’ as he often rode his horse to school and around the countryside; his dad often had to lock up the horses to allow their hooves to grow out from overuse. Harvin and Larry managed to be mischievous in their youth; their kids loved to hear them recount the stories, many involving hunting, exploring, and the neighbor kids. There is still a long standing debate about whether or not it was an accident Harvin shot Larry in the face, between the eyes.

After high school, Harvin attended Central College for two years, and then returned to the farm when Larry joined the service. In 1958, he was drafted and joined the Army; he was stationed in Baltimore at Fort Holabird Counter Intelligence Corps and continued to participate in theater productions. Harvin loved to share that he received a ride from famous poet Ogden Nash’s daughter to a cast party. He was also a skilled marksman and was a participant in their Pistol Team, traveling around the country to participate in competitions. One competition led him to Miami where after, he and his friends went to Fontainebleau and had the opportunity to see Frank Sinatra in concert.

Harvin was united in marriage with Esther Mae Dannen on August 19, 1960, at the Zion Reformed Church in Sheffield, Iowa. They were blessed with four children: Heidi Evonne, Hartley Evan, Jennifer Jo, and Heather Elaine. He loved his children and enjoyed quality time with his friends and family - sharing tea and sweets with the Hoodjers after church, playing Pepper with their friends in card club, and neighborhood picnics. He enjoyed spending time withand teasing his grandchildren Stephanie, Melanie, Tiffanie, Cortanie, Whitanie, Anastasia, Harm Thomas and Colton.

Harvin was a devout Christian and member of the Wellsburg Reformed Church where he frequently served as Elderand taught Catechism and Sunday School for decades. In addition to his church involvement, he was a generous and giving man who volunteered his time to many organizations. Harvin was a member of the Soil Conservation Board, Farm Bureau President, Iowa Pork Producers, Grundy County Republican Party Chairman, Morgan Horse Driving Club, Ostfriesland Heritage Society (OHS) President, and others. He was extremely charitable and had a very giving heart.

If anyone had a passion for farming, it was Harvin Meyer. He loved the land and doing his part to conserve the lush soil of his farmland. He enjoyed educating others on no-till farming and methods to retain the nutrients of the land. Education was important to him and he was an avid reader, driving fundraising efforts to build a new library in Wellsburg. He loved to visit the Amish and also enjoyed Sunday horse and buggy rides with his children.

Harvin was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Esther; his children Heidi (Mark) Nederhoff of Wellsburg IA, Hartley (Natasha) Meyer of Wellsburg IA, Jennifer (Jake) Lease of Heartland TX, and Heather (Ben) Redwing of Kansas City MO; 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm on Friday, November 25th at the Wellsburg Reformed Church. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 26th, also at the Wellsburg Reformed Church. Harvin will be laid to rest at the Wellsburg Reformed Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either American Parkinson Disease Association (ADPA) at apdaparkinson.org or Iowa State University Foundation FBO Harvin and Esther Meyer Internship, 2505 University Blvd, PO Box 2230, Ames IA 50010-2230.