Margie Otto ’65 Meyer
Margie “Marj” Lynne Meyer, age 79 of Spring Lake, passed away the morning of Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at home. She was born on January 5, 1943, in Sturgis, Michigan, the daughter of Edward and Waneta (Lantz) Otto.
Margie graduated from Sturgis High School, Class of 1961, and in 1965 she graduated with a B.A. from Hope College. She was a member of Phi Alpha Theta Sorority and the National Honor Society in History, the Gamma-Omicron Chapter. She was a member of the Hope Chapel Choir under Mr. Robert Cavenaugh. In addition to performances in Dimnent Memorial Chapel, the choir traveled throughout the Midwest, giving performances. She continued her education at Western Michigan University and earned a master’s degree in education.
Margie began her 15-year career as a teacher of history and English in Vicksburg, Michigan. She married Jack Meyer in Kalamazoo on June 8, 1968, and they would celebrate 53 years of marriage. The couple moved to Chicago for his medical schooling and she taught at Jack Benny High School in Waukegan, Illinois. They moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, for Jack’s medical residency, and it was there that she taught young minds in a private school called Tate’s School of Discovery. Marj made the transition from educator to medical assistant/office manager and organized Jack’s podiatry offices in Grand Haven and Muskegon for 35 years.
Music was a very important part of Margie’s life, and she began singing and playing the church organ in high school. Marj was an interim organist in the Vicksburg Methodist Church during her tenured teaching career. She performed as a soloist and organist at many weddings. When she and Jack moved to the Tri-Cities area, she was one of the original members in the Grand Haven Chamber Choir, later the Camarata Singers. Marj sang soprano for 25 years with the group, performing at several church venues in Muskegon and Grand Haven, as well as for the Grand Rapids Opera and West Shore Symphony.
Margie was active in the community and served as treasurer of auxiliaries at North Ottawa Community Hospital and Mercy Hospital, raising funds for specialized hospital equipment. She also worked as a volunteer in Mercy’s gift shop for many years. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spring Lake and a member of its Library Guild as well. Since 1982, she has been a member of the Spring Lake Country Club and past member of the nine-hole golf league where she served a stint as its treasurer. In retirement, she cherished her role as “Nana” and cared for her grandchildren from birth to school age twice a week. Everyone who knew her will carry her memory with love in their hearts.
Surviving and thankful for the loving presence Margie brought to their lives are her loving husband of 53 years, Jack; their two sons, Jason (Erica) Meyer of Spring Lake and Mike (Kelli) Meyer of Grand Haven; grandchildren: Dyllan, Carter and Avalyn; sister, Sharon Kohn of Roselle, Illinois; brothers-in-law: Ed (Judy) Meyer, Jim (Terrie) Meyer, Mick (Carol) Meyer; and several nieces and nephews. She will also be remembered by hundreds of first and second Amish and Mennonite cousins in Indiana and Illinois. Margie was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Waneta Otto; and brothers-in-law, Bill (Ev) Meyer and Dave Kohn.