Deborah Meyer:
CLASS OF 1976
Howell High SchoolClass of 1976
Howell, MI
Michigan State University - Graduate SchoolClass of 1992
East lansing, MI
Central Michigan University - EducationClass of 1981
Mt. pleasant, MI
Highlander Way Middle SchoolClass of 1972
Howell, MI
Northwest Elementary SchoolClass of 1969
Howell, MI
Deborah's Story
Life
Hello Howell class of 1976! Boy, that was a long time ago!!
After graduation I went to school at CMU. After graduation from there, I came back to Howell. In '83, I married Charles Hill (Class of '69) and we had 2 boys, Jonathon & Christopher.
We got separated in early '92 and divorced. I got remarried to Loren Meyer (class of '74) on 1/2/93. He had 4 kids, Jason, Chris, Ashley, and Amy. In May of 2001, my 2 boys legally changed their last name to Meyer. We also LOVE our animals. We have a 10+ yr old chihuahua & we raise & breed mini-dachshunds...we currently have 5!!
On April 8, 2003, Loren's oldest son, Jason, was killed in action in Iraq. It's been VERY HARD!! We have been involved with a group called TAPS. It's for survivors of military deaths, and they have been a great help. Jason's buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Loren also has 5 grandkids...2 girls, 3 boys! Their names are: Halie, CJ, Dylan, Olivia, & Jordan.
My oldest, SPC Jonathon Meyer, is 23 & he's in the Army, stationed at Ft. Hood, TX. He got back from Iraq on Dec. 1 2007 & got married on Dec. 20 to our daughter-in-law, Candas. They're adopting a little girl, named Emily because Candy isn't able to have children.
My youngest is a Marine, LCpl Christopher Meyer. He's 20 & stationed at Camp Allen, Norfolk, VA. He just got back from Cuba & will be going to Bahrain soon. We miss them both!
On April 1, 2002, I had surgery for a seriously damaged disc in my low back. The surgery was a success, but it left me with a damaged sciatic nerve and a "numb" left leg. I'm disabled now, and can't work full time. I went back to substitute teaching in Nov. 2006, but I can only work about 2-3 days a week. I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia ON my 39th birthday. Happy birthday to me, hahaha!! It's painful every day, and VERY painful some days, but I've learned to live with it. I also started working at Walmart* again and I'm the week-end, evening phone operator.
Loren and I now live in South Bend, IN. We've been here since May 2002, and spent almost 2 yrs. in Goshen, IN before that.
I became a Classmates Gold member to try and email old classmates and get back in touch. I look forward to hearing from many of my "old" classmates. I've already located a few and we correspond occasionally. It's great hearing how everyone is doing.
Deb (Grove) Meyer
School
I went to Elementary School at Northwest. Middle School was the old Michigan Avenue Middle School - where the post office is now - then 8th grade at Highlander Way. High School was at the only HS that Howell had in 1976. I think it's now McPherson Middle School/Freshman Campus.
College
I attended CMU right after High School. In 1981, I earned a "BS in Ed" degree. I know, some of you think it was just for my BS abilities!!
In 1983, I started attending MSU and was working on my "MA in Ed" degree. I wasn't able to finish at that time, because of health problems for myself and other family members, mostly my dad and grandparents. I also had 2 children - one in Oct. 1985, the other in Sept 1988. In 1991, I was granted an extens...Expand for more
ion and was able to finish the degree. I graduated in June of 1992.
Workplace
I am currently disabled from Fibromyalgia and an unsuccessful back surgery that I had on April 1, 2002. I've been "back to work" as a substitute teacher in the South Bend School Corp. since Dec. 2006. Also, Walmart* again...just a few hours a week. I can work about 4-5 days a month subbing without too much trouble, but any more than that is iffy!!
When I WAS able to work on a full-time basis, I held some very interesting jobs. Right out of CMU, I started working at Farm Bureau Ins. in Lansing, with my dad. I did that for the summer, then started substitute teaching in Livingston County schools. I did that off and on until we moved to Goshen, IN in March of 2000. I also worked at several day care centers and/or pre-schools...as the music director, 3-yr old teacher, program director, and younger 4's teacher. Teaching was, and remains my greatest joy. I wish I was still able to teach. I have satisfied the "need" by helping as assistant director for our children's choir at church and being a Confirmation sponsor to a 6th grade young lady. It helps a little, but I would still love working with kids full time!
Beginning in 1993, I spent 2 1/2 years working for Wal-Mart as a cashier. I left Wal-Mart to help open a Target store as a front end manager and worked in the cash office...counting money nearly all day and trying to get everything to balance! Severe migraine headaches made me quit that job and take some time off to find out what was causing the headaches. I went back to Wal-Mart, first as a cashier, then I transferred into the Vision Center and trained as an optician. I was in the Vision Center for about 2 years. I was also in training to become assistant manager.
Alas, my oldest was going through a VERY rough period in life, and I needed to have more flexability to be with him, as well as my other son, so I went back to substitute teaching. I also started working as a summer pool monitor for Chateau Properties. The second summer there, I was asked to become the sales manager for the community, so I started selling Mobile Homes. I also worked with the property manager to set-up sites and put in new homes. That led to my last full time job...Community Manager with my husband Loren as Maintainance Supervisor, for a Mobile Home Community in Goshen, IN.
I "blew out a disk" in my back in February of 2002. That led to the surgery and me becoming disabled. I now spend my time trying to monitor and control my pain and other symptoms. I try to spend time with friends on line, as well as singing in my church choir, and, as mentioned, helping with church committees. I work a couple days a week and am active in Blue Star Mothers of America...a group of military moms in support of our troops.
Military
My only "military" is through the kids. Jason was Army and with B CO, 11th ENG BN, 3rd ID and his CO was "first in" to Iraq. Jon is also Army and is at Fort Hood, TX with 263rd Maint. Co. He's a mechanic like his dad. Chris is a Marine & his "home" base is in Norfolk, VA.
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