Pete Meitler

Laverne Fred Mart “Pete” Meitler passed away Saturday, May 31, 2014 at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville at the age of 90. He was born in Lincoln, KS on September 28, 1923 to Charles and Ella (Conrad) Meitler. Pete was one of two boys and six girls, all growing up in Sylvan Grove, KS. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army after receiving five Battle Stars, a Purple Heart, and a Good Conduct medal, marking him as a distinguished soldier during WWII. After leaving the Army, Pete made his way to Gooding, ID to work with his cousin Raymond Meitler. There he met and married Barbara Mae Hocklander on March 4, 1947. Pete, Barbara, and their oldest daughter Jennifer, moved to Kansas in 1948 where Pete had a successful forty year career as a farmhand and rancher. Survivors include his wife Barbara of Plainville; children Jennifer and husband Jay Springer of Rifle, CO, Carl and wife Jacquie Meitler of Glenwood Springs, CO, and Lola Summers of Plainville; cousin Malinda Panzer of Lincoln, seven grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ella; and all of his siblings.