Michael Dean Meyer

Michael Dean Meyer was born on December 1, 1959, in Oak Park, IL to Jacob and Jeanette "Jean" (Bulthuis) Meyer, the youngest of five children. The family home was in Cicero on Austin Blvd, and the kids attended Timothy Christian Elementary School. When the family moved to Palos Hills, to a house with a pool, it became a very popular place for many friends to hang out. Jean encouraged Mike in a variety of interests including painting classes, organ lessons, Chicago Cubs, and adventures to the mall. Mike attended Chicago Christian High School, developing really good friendships, especially with Joe Leo who became as close as a brother. While in high school he participated in at least one drama production - Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man."

Growing up around Chicago, Mike spent some summers at Camp Roger, working on the garbage truck for Meyer Scavenger Service, and time every year from age 10 at Silver Lake, Michigan. This became a strong Meyer Family tradition over the years with siblings, and adding friends, spouses, nieces, and nephews which continued until 2014.

Mike attended Calvin College for 2 years, and then 2.5 years at the University of Illinois where he graduated from with a BS degree in Geology. After college, he took a job in Washington DC with the Department of Defense. In 1987, tired of the east coast, Mike moved home to Palos Heights, IL where he took a certificate degree program for COBOL programming. This opened the doors to work for Northern Illinois Gas Co, Mid America Federal Savings & Loan, and later Spiegel, Inc.

It was during this time when Mike met Laura Kredit in July of 1988. They were married on September 2, 1989, and made their home in Lockport, IL together with their dog, Cookie. They were blessed with two daughters - Rachael Joy ('93) and Jennifer Ashley ('97). They continued the summer tradition going to Silver Lake, MI. Mike became really infatuated with the game of golf, and running. He did several 5K runs in the area. They attended Community Life Church where Mike was involved as a deacon, small groups, and Sunday School teacher.

When Mike was laid off in the spring of 2003, he was able to spend the summer in fun activities like helping with Vacation Bible School at church, and he got his "dream job" working at a local golf course in Lockport while looking for other options. He accepted a job working for Wells Fargo in Des Moines, IA that fall, and after many weekends of driving between Lockport and Des Moines to keep the family together while details settled into place, he moved with his family to Urbandale, IA in 2004.

During this time, they started attending Crossroads Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, and Mike took on various roles including Sunday School teacher, skit actor, deacon, and elder. One of the highlights for Mike was when he started Ironman, a men's Bible Study that met at Friedrich's coffee shop on Saturday mornings.

He travelled to places like Peru to see Machu Picchu, and to Australia & New Zealand to visit daughter Jennifer while she was doing a semester abroad. He was quick to share the things he liked with anyone and everyone he met, whether it was a new song he heard and liked, or a few stanzas of a poem that he found impressive.

Mike retired from Wells Fargo in February 2020, and together with Laura managed to travel to places like Arizona, the Smokey Mountains, and London to visit Rachael. It was during this time when he was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, something he watched his own father pass from in 2010. Despite his illness, he could always find a way to work a joke into the conversation throughout his life. In November 2023, he suffered a massive seizure, which took away much of the independence he had left, and resulted in him being wheelchair bound.

He will be remembered for his charitable nature and quick smile, along with his love of dogs, golf, da Bears, the Cubs, music, rocks, good food, good company, good wine, and going to bed on time.

While a resident at Walnut Ridge Long Term Care, Mike went to be with his Lord peacefully on March 11, 2026.

Michael is survived by his wife, Laura Meyer; daughters, Rachael (Joshua) Downey, and Jennifer (Benjamin) Davis; brothers Steve (Grace Joanne), and Jack (Sue); along with several dear nieces, nephews and in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Jeanette, his oldest brother Tom, his only sister Diane (Meyer) Exoo & her husband C. Frederick Exoo.

A service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Crossroads Fellowship CRC, 1200 60th Street in West Des Moines with visitation one-hour prior. The service will be livestreamed from the church for those unable to attend in person. A link will be made available on this obituary before the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for Crossroads Fellowship CRC, your local animal shelter, or to the Alzheimer's Association.

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