Kenneth "Kenny" Wayne

Meier

A Life Well Lived. A Family Deeply Loved. A Faith That Endures.

Kenneth Wayne “Kenny” Meier was born on September 25, 1956, in Montgomery, New York, to the late Robert and Barbara Meier. One of four sons, Kenny grew up alongside his brothers Robert, Michael, and Terrence in a close-knit family where hard work, loyalty, and family were deeply valued.

A proud graduate of Valley Central High School, Kenny was part of a family tradition that spanned generations. His brothers, his future wife Paula and her siblings, and eventually his own children all walked those same halls. Many of the friendships Kenny formed in those early years would remain an important part of his life for decades to come.

An accomplished athlete, soccer was Kenny's game. As it turned out, the sport would also play an unexpected role in his greatest love story. Kenny and Paula had known each other since high school, graduating in the same class. Years later, their paths crossed again when Paula attended a soccer game to watch her brother Steve, who happened to be Kenny's teammate. That reunion marked the beginning of a beautiful life together.

They married on May 23, 1981, and made their home in Walden, New York, where they raised their two children, Kyle and Kristen. For more than 45 years, Kenny and Paula shared the joys, challenges, and countless everyday moments that make a marriage and a family.

Kenny took great pride in his children, and that joy only grew with the arrival of his grandsons, Enzo and Drew. Kyle Meier lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife, Celina, and their son, Enzo. Kristen Brodie lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her husband, Matt, and their son, Drew.

Kenny's strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit were evident throughout his career. In 1988, he and his brother Mike took over Herco, the Hershey's Ice Cream distributorship their father had established in Middletown, New York, in 1965. Together, they carried forward their father's legacy, building the company into a thriving business serving the tri-state region. After decades of dedication and hard work, Kenny and Mike sold the business in 2019.

That fall, Kenny and Paula embraced a new chapter, making The Villages, Florida, their permanent home. Retirement brought new adventures, wonderful friendships, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy life together. They loved playing golf and pickleball and were active members of a bowling team until just a few months ago.

Gregarious, outgoing, and full of life, Kenny loved a good story, a hearty laugh, a “whale call” (if you know, you know) and a little friendly competition. An avid NASCAR fan, he maintained a special connection with his longtime high school friends through their friendly weekly NASCAR wager, which Kenny faithfully organized. It was more than a little competition. It was another way to keep lifelong friendships alive, something Kenny valued deeply.

When Kenny was diagnosed with glioblastoma in August 2024, life took an unexpected and difficult turn. Yet Kenny and Paula were surrounded by a special blessing in The Villages: siblings who lived nearby and close friends who shared the joys of retirement. Following his diagnosis, Kenny, Paula, and many of those friends began attending Family Church together. What had been a wonderful circle of family and friendship grew into an even deeper community of faith, surrounding them with extraordinary love, prayer, and steadfast support.

Kenny faced his illness with remarkable determination, exceeding expectations and treasuring the precious time he was given with those he loved. Through a journey neither he nor Paula would have chosen, their courage and peace have reflected an unwavering trust in God's perfect plan. Like the dawn described in Proverbs 4:18, their faith has shone brighter through life's most difficult days.

Through an ordinary husband and wife facing extraordinary circumstances, God's grace and faithfulness have been made visible to the many people whose lives they have touched.

Kenny always loved telling a good story, but perhaps the greatest story he told was the one he lived. Through life's toughest battles, he showed what it means to fight with courage, hold fast to his faith in Christ, and love deeply.

His life tells a story of fight, faith, and love. And through it all, God's faithfulness remains.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Kenny’s memory to Family Church Sumter’s “For the One” Building Fund, supporting the church’s mission to reach more people with the Gospel.

https://familychurchsumter.churchcenter.com/giving

Please designate your gift to the “For the One” Fund.