Cover photo for Gaylord Odell Meyer's Obituary
Gaylord Odell Meyer Profile Photo
1927 Gaylord 2024

Gaylord Odell Meyer

November 2, 1927 — December 10, 2024

Shelton

Gaylord O. Meyer passed away December 10, 2024, at Mount Carmel Home in Kearney.  Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the United Methodist Church in Shelton. Pastor Michelle Byerly will officiate.  Burial will follow in the Shelton Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M. on Friday the 13th, at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Shelton Volunteer Fire Department or the United Methodist Church. Apfel Funeral home is assisting with arrangements, online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.
Gaylord Odell Meyer was born at the family home November 2, 1927, in Campbell, NE, the son of Herman and Florence (Koch) Meyer. Gaylord was the oldest of 13 children. He was baptized and confirmed at the Campbell Presbyterian Church. Growing up in a close family during the depression, Gaylord enjoyed singing, dancing, ice skating, and roller skating.   
Gaylord grew up in Campbell, attended school there graduating with the class of 1945. He proudly served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War January, 1951 and was honorably discharged October, 1956. He was honored to attend the Korean War Hero Flight to Washington D.C. with his son, Kevin in June, 2014.
He married Joan Miller on May 26, 1951, at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Holstein. They celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary this year.  To this union they were blessed with five children, Galen, Diane, Janet, Kevin and Linda. They lived their married life in Shelton in the home that Gaylord helped build. They moved to Prairie View Garden in Kearney in 2017 and Mount Carmel Home September 2024.    
Gaylord started his career with Kansas-Nebraska Natural Company in 1948 in his hometown of Campbell. In 1952, he was transferred to Shelton and retired after 41½ years of employment with KN Energy.
He enjoyed fishing and especially enjoyed his fishing trips to Canada, even after surviving a plane crash with his son, Galen near Flin Flan Manitoba in 1981. Gaylord could fix anything around his house or the neighborhood.  He also was a talented wood craftsman and loved tinkering in his garage making toys, including planes, trains, and cars for his grandchildren to ride in for the 4th of July parades. He made several wooden Christmas displays to decorate their family home, rocking chairs, canoes, benches and other numerous projects.  His prize was making his own boat.  
Gaylord was an active member of the United Methodist Church where he served in various offices and committees, United Methodist Men, Shelton American Legion Post 297, VFW, Shelton Volunteer Fire Department, served as chairman for the Shelton Housing Authority, Shelton Township cemetery board, served on the Shelton Village Board and was mayor ’76-’77, Shelton School Board and Elks.
He was a caring man with a deep love for his family. Surviving family include his children: Diane (Donnell) Bombeck of Shelton, Jan (Steve) Spellman of Kearney, Kevin Meyer of Shelton, Linda Hansen of Lincoln and daughter-in-law, Kim Meyer of Grand Island.  
14 Grandchildren: Annaliese (Jared) Leiser, Allison (Alex) Bendt, (Ashlee) Meyer, Grant (Ashley) Meyer, Nathan (Shannon) Bombeck, Brandon Bombeck, Derek (Jennifer) Bombeck, Arielle (Trevor) Tripe, Trevor (Lisa) Spellman, Megan (Tyler) Herter, John (Lauren) Meyer, Haeley (Trent) Petersen, Alex and Mattie Hansen.
22 Great-grandchildren: Scarlett, Ruby and Scout Leiser, Sloane and Witt Bendt, Palmer Meyer, Lillian, Jace, Layla, Collin and Graham Bombeck, Brady, Mason and Trey Tripe, Avery and Finn Spellman, Hadley and Hank Herter, Arthur Meyer, Lennon, Mila, and Lainey Petersen.
Sisters and brother: Audrey Larson; Kolleen Grams, Veralu Fritson, Sherry Andersen, Jim (Diana) Meyer, Lori Eiseman, Bonnie (Larry) Holmberg and sister-in-laws: Delores Meyer, Marilyn Meyer and Billie Meyer
Gaylord is preceded in death by his wife, Joan; son, Galen; grandson, Wade; his parents; in-laws, Harry and Sylvia Miller; brothers: Dean Meyer, Leon Meyer, Doyt Meyer, Ivon (Pete) Meyer, Marvin Meyer; brothers-in-law: Roger Larson, Ray Grams, Allan Andersen, Don Fritson, Allan Andersen, Charles Eiseman; and sister-in-law, Verna Meyer.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, December 13, 2024

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Shelton United Methodist Church

207 A Street, Shelton, NE 68876

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Funeral Service

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)

Shelton United Methodist Church

207 A Street, Shelton, NE 68876

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Interment

Saturday, December 14, 2024

11:30am - 12:30 pm (Central time)

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