Donnell Lee Meyer, 84, of Festus died Sept. 12, 2025, at SSM St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis. Mr. Meyer was an autoworker for Chrysler. He served in the Army National Guard. He was a devoted Catholic and member of Sacred Heart Church. He enjoyed going to dinner with his daughters every day, playing solitaire on his computer and caring for his dog. He loved making faces at his daughter, Becky, while arguing with her that he loved her most, but Phyllis was his favorite. Born Dec. 3, 1940, in Festus, he was the son of the late Catherine Elizabeth (Huene) and John George Meyer Sr.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years: Ethel Inez (Mitchell) Meyer.
He is survived by seven children: Dennis (the late Barbara) Riggs of Pevely, Cindy Sandifer of Crystal City, Phyllis Henderson of Skokie, Ill., Kevin (Donna) Riggs of Herculaneum, Becky (Rick DeLarber) Smith of Kimberling City, Tim (Rehanna) Meyer of Seattle, Wash., and Jim (Karen) Propst of Herculaneum; five siblings: John G. (Helen) Meyer Jr. of Festus, Dean R. (Alice) Meyer of Warrenton, Patricia (Mike) McMillen of Stayton, Ore., Mary (Jim) Peterein of Festus and Geralyn J. (Dr. Charles) Prior of De Soto; 11 grandchildren: Dawn Dickson, Sherry (Jeff) Voss, Matthew (Becky) Riggs, Amanda (Jeff) Wideman, Michael (the late Keisha) Allen, Ryan (Nick) Lawler, Kyle (Whitney) Riggs, Kory Riggs, Kelsey (Andy) Guthrie, Collen Meyer and Landon Meyer; 27 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; and his dog: Miles.
He was preceded in death by four siblings: Alvin J. (Dorothy) Meyer, Norma J. Hunter, Betty J. (the late Eldon) Eaker and Ruth Ann Meyer; two grandchildren: Brandon Smith and Jason (Mary Kay survives) Smith; and a great-grandson: Kurtis Allen.
A celebration of life will be from 12:30 p.m. until services at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, officiated by Pastor Scott Parker. Interment will follow in Herculaneum Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.