Jun 24, 2009 - Daily Journal FARMINGTON — Willa Dean Meyer of Farmington passed away on Friday, June 19, 2009, at Camelot Nursing and Rehab Center, at the age of 76 years. She was born on October 10, 1932, on the Hunt Farm in Farmington to the late Lawrence and Clara (Williams) Thurman. She was also preceded in death by her six older siblings, brothers, Lee, Earl and Lawrence Jr. and sisters, Hazel Harrington, Genevieve Dillard Bauman and Geraldine Zielieke. Willa Dean met her husband, Sonny in 1950 at the Casino Roller Rink and were married April 14, 1956 at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Farmington. A faithful member of the church, she shared her faith by teaching in the Faith Formation Program, and has served as a lector and Eucharistic minister. Following graduation from Farmington High School, she was first employed as a State Tax Auditor. While raising her children she worked part time as a secretary at the Presbyterian Church. Because of her in-depth knowledge of Farmington and its people, she was soon invited to join the staff of the Farmington Evening Press, where she served as an editor for ten years. Her weekly column, “In Plain Words,” garnered a large following because of its unique coverage of events and citizens in the Farmington area. She later became Marketing Director for the Mineral Area Hospital where she worked until her retirement in 2007. She was very active in her community. As her children were growing up she served as a Scout leader, 4-H leader, and in various positions with the PTA. When her children reached their teen years she became even more active in serving the community. Willa Dean was one of the founders of Country Days in 1978, and served as its chairman for many years. Her role as Country Days Chairman reached a high point when Dolly Parton came to Farmington one year as a headliner. She was also active in the Chamber of Commerce, the American Heart Association, the Restoration Committee of Long Memorial Hall, the American Cancer Society, and the Heart Walk, where she served as chairman. She also organized Project KidCare and was one of the founders of the Mighty Missouri Pig Fest in 2003. Because of her long dedication to service in the community, she was the recipient of many awards, including the VFW Post 5896 Outstanding Service Award in 1986, the KREI/KTJJ “110% Award” in 1991, the Farmington Women of Today’s Outstanding Woman Leader Award in 1993, the American Heart Association’s Outstanding Service Award in 1995, the American Heart Association’s Extra Mile Award in 1999, the American Cancer Society’s Outstanding Achievement Award in 2002, the Froggy 96 Elite Service Award in 2002, and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church Community Service Award in 2003. Willa Dean will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, which includes her husband of 53 years, Sonny Meyer, a daughter, Cynthia Ann Butterbaugh and husband, Thomas of Paducah, KY, two sons, Larry Joseph Meyer, and Kevin Lee Meyer and wife Robin (Mallory) all of Farmington, a daughter-in-law, Marianne (Mackley) Meyer of St. Ann, eight grandsons, Austin, Adam and twins Sean and Eric Butterbaugh, Ryan and Brandon Meyer, and twins, Zachary and Seth Meyer. Numerous other relatives, friends and her church family also survive. The family will receive friends at Cozean Memorial Chapel from 3 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Visitation will resume on Thursday from 7 to 10 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Farmington. Interment will follow at New Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Willa Dean Meyer Scholarship Endowment Fund for Community Service.