Ron VanMeter Obituary (2010)

Copied as a courtesy to the VanMeter Family....... Ron Van Meter, 56, of Kearney died peacefully at his home Sunday August 8, 2010 following an illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elm Creek, NE. Father Matt Koperski will officiate and burial of ashes will be at a later date at Memorial Cemetery in Fremont, NE. Vigil wake services will be Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the church in Elm Creek. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Good Samaritan Hospital Air Care. A message of condolence, tribute or memory can be left at www.hlmkfuneral.com. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Service are in charge of arrangements. Ron was born March 1, 1954 in Fremont to William and Marcella (Duran) Van Meter. He grew up in Red Cloud, NE, graduated from Red Cloud High School in 1972 and attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Ron married Dau'n Watson in 1974 and they later divorced. He then married Linda Schwisow in 1977 and they had one daughter, Lindsay, of Lincoln. They later divorced. From 1972 to 1978 Ron was a motorcycle patrol officer for the Lincoln Police Department. From 1978 to 1983 he worked for the Highway Safety Program for the State of Nebraska. From 1984 to 1988 Ron worked as the Criminal Justice Division Chief for the State of Nebraska. He moved to Aspen, Colorado in 1988 and worked as the public relations officer for the Aspen Police Department. From 1995-2003 Ron was the Public Information Officer for the Garfield County Sheriff's office in Glenwood Springs, CO, then from 2004-2005 he was a Loss Prevention Manager for Clark's Market Stores in Aspen. From 2005-2007 he was the Zoning Compliance Officer for Garfield County Colorado. He moved to Kearney in 2008 to be close to family and was a security officer at the Good Samaritan Hospital. Van Meter served as an instructor for the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy and was certified by the FBI as a hostage/crisis negotiator. He also received numerous law enforcement awards during his career. Ron achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as a youth and devoted years of service as a United Way board member for Garfield County. Van Meter treasured time spent with his family, was an avid Husker fan, and enjoyed following local sports. Surviving relatives: Daughter....................................Lindsay Van Meter, Lincoln, NE Granddaughter.............................Cynder DeGrave of Lincoln, NE Brother.......................................Gary Van Meter of Wayne, NE Sister.........................................Cindy and Husband Ron Pickel of Elm Creek, NE Aunt and Uncle.............................Burdette and Colleen Van Meter of DeSmet, SD Many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.