Samuel Gibble Meyer, Jr., affectionately known as Sam by his friends and family, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 16, 2023, in Salem, Virginia at the age of 99 years old.

Sam was born at home in Lebanon, PA, on January 20, 1924, to Rev. Samuel Gibble and Elizabeth Miller Meyer, becoming the 7 ^th Samuel Meyer in the family. He grew up on the 150-acre farm belonging to the family since 1732.

Those preceding Sam in death are his siblings, Ammon Meyer and his wife, Lucille; Leah Meyer; Nathan Meyer and his wife, Mary; Jonas Meyer and his first wife Ruth, second wife Rhonda; Raymond Meyer, and his wife, Helen; Matthew Meyer, and his first wife Barbara, second wife Virginia; and Marian Schell, and her husband Walter.

Sam began his education in a one-room schoolhouse where his father was a teacher. After graduating from Fredericksburg High School, PA, he was approached by the dean of Elizabethtown College with an offer to attend college – he could take classes in the morning and work evenings to pay his tuition. Sam graduated from Elizabethtown College with a bachelor's degree before going on to complete his Master's of Religious Education at Bethany Biblical Seminary in Chicago, IL. At the age of 43, he also completed his Master's of Education Administration from DePaul University in Chicago.

Sam was extremely athletic and played baseball and soccer, and later taught himself golf. He and his brothers formed an "All Meyer" infield for the community baseball team. He followed his father's footsteps into teaching and was a teacher and principal for 33 years in a Chicago-area school district. Interspersed between his education and formal career, he worked for the Brethren Volunteer Service, as a director of migrant worker camps in both Florida and New Mexico. Additionally, he was a conscientious objector during World War II, keeping with the pacifist tradition of his church, and served instead building the Blue Ridge Parkway under the Civilian Public Service program, among other assignments.

Family was always very important to him, sharing his life with his wife of 66 years, Casimerette Meyer, the love of his life, and raising their family of four children. He loved farming, organic gardening, and the outdoors all his life. He was very handy and built several small barns and horse corrals, among other things. He raised fowl and rabbits alongside horses, dogs, and cats on their small 4-acre farm outside of Chicago.

Upon his retirement at the age of 62, Sam and Casimerette (known as Casey) moved to Salem, Virginia, next to his brother Nathan, to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There they developed a large organic garden, a fruit orchard, and a system of trails and bridges through the woods on their property. They became members of the Forest Stewardship Program, working in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service to preserve the land.

Always active in the church, Sam joined the congregation of the Daleville Church of the Brethren upon coming to Virginia. He was known for his role as deacon and participated in the choir.

Those left to cherish his memory are his devoted and loving wife of 66 years, Casimerette Marinaro Meyer; his daughter, Cynthia Cox, and her husband, Jon; son, Samuel K. Meyer; daughter Linnea Meyer and her partner, Michael Healy; daughter, Kristina Meyer Fey, and her husband, Matthew Fey; his grandchildren, Benjamin Cox, and his wife, Laura, Sophia Fey, and Elise Fey; his great-grandchildren, Elijah, and Charles Cox; and many nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.

A celebration of life service will be planned for a future date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the memorial fund at Daleville Church of the Brethren in Sam's memory.