M. Neil Meyer, O.D., age 84 of Bismarck, formerly of Williston & Washburn, ND, passed away peacefully on March 5th, 2011 at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 AM Thursday, March 10th at First Lutheran Church in Washburn with Pastor Erik Johnson officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion Post 12 of Washburn at the conclusion of the service.

Interment will take place at a later date in Riverview Cemetery, Washburn.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Wednesday at Goetz Funeral Home in Washburn and will continue Thursday, one hour prior to time of service at the church.

Mervyn Neil was born June 2, 1926 at Washburn, ND, son of Jacob & Pauline (Neuharth) Schlichenmayer. He was raised and educated at Washburn, graduating from Washburn High School in 1944. He entered the U.S. Navy on Sept. 21, 1944 and was discharged as a PhM2c (Pharmacist Mate, Second Class) on July 10, 1946. Following his discharge, Neil attended Bismarck Junior College for two years. He then enrolled at Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, graduating with a Doctor of Optometry degree. In January 1952, Neil began a private practice of Optometry in Williston, ND where he would remain for 35 years. On January 5, 1957, he was united in marriage to Marian Carr at Washburn, ND. Neil remained in private professional practice until 1973 at which time he joined with John Herr, M.D., Steven Cheng, M.D., and Gordon Postovit, O.D., forming the Williston Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic. He continued in that professional capacity until his retirement in 1985. In 1987, he and Marian moved to Bismarck where they have made their home since.

Neil held life memberships in the American Optometric Association and the North Dakota Optometric Association. He was a past president of the ND association and a two-term member of the State Board of Optometry. He was a life member of the Elks, a past master of Mr. Moriah Lodge, AF & AM, Kem Temple of the Shrine, the Victor B. Wallin American Legion Post 12, and First Lutheran Church of Washburn.

Neil was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He cherished time with his family and enjoyed following sports (especially high school athletics). He was an avid reader of history with a deep love for his country. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Marian E. Meyer of Bismarck; one son, M. Paul Meyer of Bismarck; two daughters & spouses, Janet & Rob Kuhn of Dickinson, and Sandra & Dr. Patrick Nelson of Sioux Falls, SD; one daughter-in-law, Cathy Meyer of Bismarck; seven grandchildren, Tim (Sarah) Meyer, Kayla (Scott) Weigel, Sara (Tyler) Bentz, Andrea Kuhn, David Kuhn, Katie Nelson, & Andrew Nelson; seven great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Daryl (Martha) Schlichenmayer of Las Vegas, NV, and Gerald Schlichenmayer of Lewiston, MT.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sons (Kurt & Dr. Brad Meyer), & one brother (Merle).