Lieutenant Colonel John Norbert Meyer, 93 of Ashland, joined his Heavenly Father on June 6, 2026 in his home.

John was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana to his parents, Norbert Bernard Meyer and Marcelene (Grund) Meyer.

John graduated from Central Catholic High School in Fort Wayne and graduated from Ball State University where he received a degree in music and education and while there he became a cadet in the ROTC program and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF upon graduation. He entered the USAF and served 23 years from his country in various leadership capacities and assignments throughout ten states to include Alaska, Japan, South Korea, Okinawa and the Philippines. During his distinguished career he earned the Air Force Commendation three times, the Air Force Meritorious Medal twice and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the USAF after serving five years with the Strategic Air command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska as Division Chief of the Missile Computer Warning System that provided pertinent and worldly intercontinental missile launch information to the national command centers in the country.

Lieutenant Colonel Meyer attended flying school at Malden, Missouri and Interceptor Controller Training at Tyndall AFB, Florida where he earned an expert rating as a controller and served on the Tactical Evaluation Team for the 30th Air Defense Division at Truax Field, Wisconsin. He later attended several computer science schools at Keesler AFB, Mississippi which started a new direction in his military career. He was instrumental in the transition of computer services on the automated NORAD air defense SAGE system to USAF military control which previously was administered by the System Development Corporation. Later, he was assigned for four years to Headquarters 4th Air Force in Japan where he assisted the Japan Self Defense Force (JASDF) in their implementation of an automated air defense warning system called BADGE and additionally was part of the joint task force that assisted and led to the reversion of the USAF air defense of Okinawa to the JASDF and under total control to Japan. Upon returning to the states, he was assigned to Fallen AFS, Nevada where he served as director of computer services for the automated (BUIC) air defense system and subsequently became commander of the AFS.

His last major assignment was with the Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska where he served for five years as Division Chief of the Missile Computer Warning system that provided pertinent and worldly intercontinental missile launch information to the national command centers serving the USA.

After retiring from the USAF, John worked as the Telecommunications Supervisor for the Essex Division of the United Technologies Corporation in Fort Wayne for three years and in 1993 moved to Toledo to work with the Public School System as Director of Computer Services. At the age of 65, he retired after fifteen years serving in the public sector. During his time in Toledo, he was active in various data processing organizations (DPMA and ACR), the Sylvania Chamber of Commerce, charter member of the Kiwanis Chapter in Sylvania and served as president of the Olivet Golf League and Bridge Group.

In 2015, John and his wife moved to Ashland, Ohio to live their later years with some of their loved ones. John was an avid golfer, duplicate bridge player and collector of cigarette lighters and read extensively military history. John and his wife enjoyed antiquing, their travels to Europe and many ship cruises. The love John showed for the military and his country together with his sense of humor, laughter and smile will be deeply missed.

John’s faith was a tremendous part of his upbringing and throughout his entire life. At the nearby church from their home, they could hear the church bells chime, as a reminder to pray The Angelus at noon and never left the table in the evening until the rosary was prayed. John was a member of St. Edward Catholic Church in Ashland and a previous member of Christ the King in Toledo.

John is survived by his loving wife, Kay Marie (Klingaman-Hahn) Meyer wherein they shared many loving years together; his children, Marjorie Meyer of Mesa, Arizona and Sharon (Randy) Roberts of Hoagland, Indiana; grandchildren, Brandon Miller of Hoagland, Indiana and Vivian Miller of Hoagland, Indiana; great-grandson, David Miller of Hoagland, Indiana; stepchildren, Heidi (Keith) Yeater of Ashland, Ohio and Robert C. Hahn, III Esq. (Jaya) of Spokane, Washington; and step-grandchildren, Dr. Laura Yeater Poth, William Yeater, Sarah Yeater Becker of Ashland, Ohio, Robert C. Hahn IV and Gunnar Hahn of Spokane, Washington.

In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by one son, John N. Meyer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Edward Catholic Church with Father Rod Kreidler presiding. A meal and time of fellowship will follow in the parish activity center. Interment will be in the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.

For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.

Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to handle the arrangements.

Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home

Website: denbowfh.com