Naperville, Illinois — Ralph F. “Lanny” Mr. Meir Jr., 82, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and resident of Naperville, Illinois since 2020, and previously of Warren, Ohio and Chicago, Illinois, died on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Edward in Naperville. He passed away peacefully at the hospital.
He was born on December 16, 1940 in Warren, Ohio.
Ralph was the loving husband of Joyce M. Logan Mateer. He was the beloved father of David (Lisa) Mattia of Chicago and Christopher (Holly) Mattia of Aurora, Illinois. Beloved grandfather of Kylie Mattia. Devoted son of the late Ralph F. Sr. and Ann Ward Mattia.son-in-law of the late Alberta; “A.J.” And Thomas Logan. Brother-in-law of Len (Marian) Logan and the late Constance (late Alvin) Gutman of Schenectady, NY. and a much-loved cousin, uncle, great-uncle, and many friends.
Lanny attended Garfield Elementary School, East Middle School, and graduated from college in Shaker Heights, Ohio. He attended Lehigh University (Pennsylvania), Youngstown State University, and the University of Miami (Florida).
Ranney joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1963. He participated in his C-130 search and rescue missions as a radio operator, as well as mapping icebergs between Greenland and the Orkney Islands. He participated in the flight of equipment to Vietnam after the Gulf of Tonkin incident and the subsequent buildup for the escalation of the war. Lunney was extremely proud of his service in the Coast Guard and remained lifelong friends with the members he served with.
After leaving the Coast Guard in 1967, Lanny met the love of his life, Joyce Logan. After a whirlwind two-week romance, they married on July 12, 1969 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
He worked primarily in golf equipment sales throughout the 1970s before opening the area’s first video rental store. He then ended his sales career and retired from Corcoran Expositions.
Lanny was an excellent golfer and maintained a handicap of 7 or less throughout his life. He was also an excellent pool shooter, competing in and winning many amateur pool tournaments.
Lunney was a fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Chicago Cubs, and NASCAR. He particularly enjoyed racing his dirt track at Sharon’s Speedway and Raceway 7. Lanny was an avid music fan, especially jazz, R&B, and blues. His knowledge of all types of music was great and he had a record collection of over 1,000 albums. He was also a talented piano player. Lanny’s favorite show was “Jeopardy.” He loved trivia so much that he won so many times that he was banned from WFMJ’s Johnny Kaye’s Daily Trivia call-in show. Lanny also loved setting off fireworks (sometimes she would shoot them at you). He originated the annual fireworks show at his Trumbull Country Club.
Above all else, what was most important to Lanie was his wife and children, David and Christopher. Y He was Indian His guide Teton Wounded Whether he was Chief Eagle, Gadget Whether he was third base coach of the ball, Whether he was Santa playing his Claus in the sacrament. , he always had time for his sons. Lanny loved to cook for his friends and family, but always prepared feasts especially for the friends of his sons.
Lanny was generous with both her time and support. As president of the Eucharistic Home & School, he created the Eucharistic Carnival, spaghetti dinner, and donut sale.
In her later years, Lanie enjoyed watching television shows and observing the birds and squirrels that visited her backyard daily. His greatest joy was watching his beloved granddaughter Kylie grow up over the years.
Lanny will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
The service will be private.
A future interment will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Warren.
In lieu of flowers, please play golf in Lanny’s honor or donate in his memory to Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry, 1871 High Grove Lane, Naperville, IL 60540,630-355-3663, www. bread-fishes.org.
Arrangements by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Naperville, Illinois. For more information, visit www.friedrich-jones.com or call 630-355-0213.
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