Thomas J. Meyer Sr.

Thomas Joseph Meyer Sr. of Joliet, age 82, passed away surrounded by his loving family at St. Joseph Hospital on May 10, 2025. He was born at St. Joseph Hospital on July 11, 1942 to Julian Meyer and Marie Meyer (nee Wilhelmi).

Tom was born and raised in Joliet. He was a proud lifelong resident and graduated with the Class of 1960 from Joliet Catholic High School. Tom recognized the value of a hard day’s work, and sometimes even a hard night’s work. He retired from General Electric after more than 30 years of service and was the owner-operator of Meyer Landscaping for more than 60 years.

His dedication to providing for his wife Bev and their family of five children was always paramount, but he still made time for recreational trips. Tom regularly took the family camping, sometimes for weeks cross-country, introducing them to all 48 of the contiguous United States. These trips afforded him and his children the opportunity to bond with each other while surrounded by the beauty of nature that Tom loved so dearly. Tom had great enthusiasm for roller coasters, and most trips included a day or two at amusement parks. As his children grew up, Tom also traveled the world with Bev, visiting Europe, Australia, Hawaii, Tahiti, and more. He loved Las Vegas. He and Bev would try to visit a few times a year, enjoying the shows and wide variety of entertainment. A long time car lover, he also enjoyed classic cars and would attend car shows when possible.

Behind his sense of dedication and curiosity, Tom’s essence was in his ability to connect with people. A born storyteller, he always had an applicable tale to tell in any situation. He could sit down with a person whom he had never met, just as easily as a person he had known for years, in effortless conversation. It was truly a gift, that he was able to find connection with anyone and everyone in this world.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Daniel “Danny” Meyer, twin sons in infancy, and his brother John Meyer.

Tom is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Beverly Meyer (nee Kessler); his sons Thomas Meyer Jr., William (Christal) Meyer, and Steven (Jill) Meyer; his daughter Maria (Jake Setlak) Meyer; grandsons Nicholas, Maxwell, Alexander, Mitchell, Zachary, Jackson, and Russell Meyer; his granddaughter Allison Meyer; his brothers Donald (Cindy) Meyer and Michael Meyer; sister-in-law Barbara “Jeanie” (the late Butch) Holtgrave; and brothers-in-law David (Marilee) Pilz and Robert (Beth) Pilz. Extended family members, friends and loved ones far too numerous to name individually also survive.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations to the American Heart Association are made in Tom’s name.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd. Joliet, IL 60435. All guests are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Church, 416 N. Chicago St., Joliet, on the morning of Monday, May 19, 2025 at 10:00 am. Immediately following Mass, guests will process to St. Joseph Cemetery, 1500 N. Raynor Ave., Joliet, where Tom will be laid to rest.