Gerard J. 'Jerry' Meiners

Gerard J. "Jerry" Meiners, 78, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving wife and family on July 20, 2017. Jerry was a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Missouri attending St. Francis Xavier Grade School, Rockhurst High School, and Rockhurst University. Rain or shine, he walked to these schools every day, as he lived two blocks away from each of them. Beginning with his sophomore year of college, and upon advice from his father who died later that same year, Jerry enthusiastically focused on a career in public accounting. At age 21, he was the youngest CPA to receive both his CPA Certificate and his license to practice. After graduating in 1959, Jerry completed service to his country in the US Army. He then began his 44-year CPA career as a partner in the firm of Donnelly Meiners Jordan. After retirement, Jerry assisted his sons and daughters in their family businesses. Jerry was a former member of the Rockhurst University Board of Regents, President of Rockhurst University Alumni Association, and Recipient of the Alumnus of the Year for Outstanding Service in 1993 and the St. Ignatius Award in 2016 both from Rockhurst University. Jerry was a Founder and Trustee of the Vitae Foundation and for 23 years, Chair of the Vitae Golf Classic later named in his honor, The Jerry and Kaye Meiners Pro Life Golf Classic. He received the Vitae Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service from the Vitae Foundation. Jerry served his profession and community as President of the Missouri Society of CPAs, Serra Club, and Sertoma Club. He served on Boards for the St. Joseph Health Center, Wyandotte Pregnancy Center, Seton Center, Sisters of St. Francis, Little Sisters of the Poor, Donnelly College, and The National Catholic Community Foundation and was a Trustee of the Forster-Powers Charitable Trust and proud member of numerous other civic and charitable organizations. He served on the Finance Council under four Bishops of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. In 2007, Jerry was honored with The Sullivan Award from Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph and the Citizen Recognition Award from the Missouri Catholic Conference.Jerry was a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Kansas City for 42 years. He was an avid fisherman, boater and golfer, and an Emeritus Member of Blue Hills Country Club. Jerry was a man of tremendous faith who celebrated daily mass and for 40 years attended an annual Ignatian Retreat. He was a scout leader and basketball coach for his childrens teams. He served on the St. Thomas More Pastoral Council and School Board. Like his son Bill, Jerry was an Eagle Scout Bronze Palms and a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Following in his fathers footsteps, Jerry Co-Chaired the Meiners-Hodes Family Picnic for many years. At each biennial Picnic, eight hundred cousins enjoyed family, food and fun. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents George and Edna Mae Meiners, his step-father Robert Cragan, and his granddaughter Lucy Stanton. Jerry is survived by his wife of 51 years Kaye; his eight children George (Katie) Meiners, Gerard (Whitney) Meiners, David (Kelly) Meiners, Mary (David) Braddock, John (Kelly) Meiners, Elizabeth (Mike) Muckerman, Bill Meiners, and Virginia (Patrick) Stanton; 16 Grandchildren; his sister Pat (Jim) Flaherty; and in-laws Rosemary and Bruce Gilbert, Tom and Jo Kammerer, Carolyn and Tom (dec.) Stewart, John and Beth Kammerer; and, many nieces, nephews and cousins.The rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 27th, followed by visitation until 8 p.m. at St. Thomas More Church, 11822 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, July 28th, at St. Thomas More Church. Private Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family suggests masses or donations to the Vitae Foundation, Seton Center, Wyandotte Pregnancy Center, Rockhurst University, or Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.muehlebachchapel.com.



SERVICES Rosary
Thursday, July 27, 2017 5:00 PM
St. Thomas More Church 11822 Holmes Road Kansas City, MO 64131
Visitation
Thursday, July 27, 2017 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
St. Thomas More Church 11822 Holmes Road Kansas City, MO 64131
Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, July 28, 2017 10:00 AM
St. Thomas More Church 11822 Holmes Road Kansas City, MO 64131