SHIRLEY A. MEYER-BRYENTON, age 90,
of New Knoxville, passed away peacefully at the Joint Township Memorial Hospital in St. Marys following a short illness on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. She was surrounded by her loving husband and her four children. She was born to Clement R. Stienecker and Olga Martha (Katterheinrich) Stienecker in New Knoxville, OH on December 8, 1933. She was an active student in the New Knoxville school, having worked in the office, library, and kitchen, was in the chorus and band majorette and drum major. She loved sports, playing tennis and softball, was an avid swimmer and loved the outdoors, especially fishing. After graduation, she married Tom Whitehead and they had four children. In 1966, she married Victor Meyer from Columbus Grove. After his death in 1982, she married David Bryenton in 1999 and they celebrated 24 years together.
Shirley worked outside the home for over 40 years for various companies: Goodyear, Weston Paper, Airstream, NK Cement Tile, Bambauer Fertilizer and Katterheinrich Motor Sales. She also served as Village Clerk in New Knoxville for 12 years. She was a member of the New Knoxville Methodist Church, serving as a pianist for 30 years, Sunday School teacher, youth leader, choir member and church secretary. She was very instrumental in getting the church organ refurbished. Shirley gave her time and volunteered wherever she could help out. She also was part of a team that serves the Midwest Distribution Center in Chatham, Ill. She and her husband, David, loved to travel and loved to dance, enjoying all kinds of music. She enjoyed basketball and was proud of her brother, Don, who was on the 1947 state runner-up New Knoxville basketball team and when her Grandson, Tony, was a senior and captain of the N.K. team in 2008 that won the State Championship. Family was the mainstay in her life, enjoying time with them whenever possible. In her quiet time, she read, enjoyed puzzles, sewed for the Midwest Mission, crocheted and knitted, making an afghan for each of her great-grandchildren.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Clem and Olga (Katterheinrich) Stienecker, a brother Don (Shirley, who was like a sister she never had), a brother James (Janice), previous husbands Tom Whitehead and Victor Meyer, a son-in-law Steven Nelson, and a step-grandson Robin Cox. She is survived by her husband, David, and children: Patricia Nelson, Patrick “Buz” (Rachel) Meyer, Penny (Collin) Cox, Preston (Carol) Meyer. There are 13 grandchildren and spouses, 30 great-grandchildren and 4 great great-grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at the New Knoxville Methodist Church with Rev. Dennis Gaertner officiating, with a time of visitation at the church from 9-11:00 A.M. prior to the service. Memorials can be given to The New Knoxville Methodist Church, or the New Knoxville Methodist Sewing Ladies (109 South Main St, New Knoxville, Ohio 45871), or The Midwest Mission (1001 Mission Dr, Pawnee, IL 62558). Arrangements are being handled by Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen, and online condolences and memories can be shared at www.gilberghartwigfh.com.