Paul John Meister, Jr. was born November 6, 1929 near Vesta, Nebraska, the firstborn son of Paul Sr. and Laura (Himberg) Meister.  He grew up on his family’s farm, attended School District #49 through the eighth grade and received his high school diploma from Tecumseh High School in 1946.  Paul lived his entire life in the Tecumseh area.

On September 5, 1954 he was united in marriage to Ruby Irene Wagner of Tecumseh at the Maple Grove Church.  They were married for 61 years and were blessed with three children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  

Paul started working at the Campbell Soup plant on July 28, 1949 and continued his employment there until he retired on February 1, 1992 as plant superintendent.  He also was a member of the Army National Guard in the early 1950’s.  He are Ruby are active members of the First Baptist Church in Tecumseh.

Paul had many hobbies, among them hunting and fishing, gardening, playing cards and visiting with family and friends.  He avidly watched Nebraska Cornhusker football and volleyball teams, and enjoyed watching the Kansas City Royals on TV.  In his retirement years he also enjoyed attending farm auctions and garage sales, finding tools that needed refurbishing and selling them out of his home.  He started hosting the annual Meister garage sale over the Memorial Day weekend in 1983 and continued this until 2012.  These sales were well attended by people from all over the area.

He passed away at his home on Thursday, December 31, 2015 at the age of 86 years.

Paul is survived by his wife, Ruby, son, Brad Meister and wife Tammy of Wilber, daughters, Kim McAnally and husband Brian of Omaha and Cheryl Meister of Tecumseh, grandsons, Pat Meister and wife Jill of Wilber, Scott Meister of Lincoln, Andy Meister and wife Crystal of Lincoln, Jason McAnally of Miramar Beach, FL, six great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, sister-in-law, Ines Meister of Tecumseh, other relatives and friends.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Donald Meister and grandson, Jarrett McAnally.    

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at the First Baptist Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Rev. Hugh Giesbrecht officiating.

Visitation will be at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska, Monday, January 4, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.    Memorials may go to the First Baptist Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska.  Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.