Clarence Richard “Dick” Meitler, 80, passed away Sept. 14, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kan. He was born on Sept. 29, 1942, near Sylvan Grove, Kan., to Clarence W. and Lois Bonnel (Zacho) Meitler. On Dec. 13, 2008, he was united in marriage to Cynthia Tittel. 

Dick grew up at Sylvan Grove, Kan., and at age 14, he began working with his dad. They built water shed dams and helped with Lake Wilson. As he grew older, he turned to construction, working on many other projects around western Kansas. He worked on the high rise, Walmart, Fuller Brush, and many other projects that happened in Great Bend. There was not any heavy equipment that he wasn’t good at operating. He also worked for C.V. Cale. 

In the mid 1970’s, he began managing Concrete Service. He also started a crane rental business. He retired in his late 60’s but continued the crane rental business for several more years. Never comfortable with retirement, he continued doing special projects for Concrete Service.

Dick was an avid duck hunter and spent many years hunting at Cheyenne Bottoms. He was also passionate about fishing and spent many days at Glen Elder, Wilson Lake, Milford, and Ten Killer in Oklahoma. He also enjoyed hog hunting trips to Texas with his brothers and friends. 

Dick was a member of the First Christian Church.

Survivors include his spouse, Cynthia; two sons, D. Shane Meitler of Great Bend, Kan. and Trevor (Angie) Meitler of Hutchinson, Kan.; two stepdaughters, Stacy (Eric) Johnson and Shauna Young, all of Great Bend; 14 grandchildren; five step grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; four brothers, Chuck (Lorraine) Meitler of Lockhart, Texas, Donald (Randy) Meitler of Wichita, Kan., Daryl (June) Meitler of Tonganoxie, Kan., Danny (Geri) Meitler of Plainville, Kan.; seven sisters, Judy (Richard) Werner of Plainville, Kan., Linda Glisson of Stockton, Kan., Debra (Steve) Iwig of Tecumseh, Kan., Dee Ann Meitler of Sylvan Grove, Kan., Vicky Wiles, Kathy Ashbaugh, and Cindy (Dave) Miller, all of Ellsworth, Kan. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Larry and Troy Meitler; a daughter, Karen Bender; his twin sister, Carolyn Gehring; brother, Dean Meitler; and sister, Alice Oller.

Visitation will be held from noon to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 at First Christian Church, with Pastor Joseph Smeragliuolo presiding. Interment will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or First Christian Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS.  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 16, 2023