Obituary of Frederick Meisnest

South Plainfield - Frederick "Willy" Meisnest, 93, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at Whispering Knoll Assisted Living in Edison. Born in Newark, Willy grew up in Irvington before settling to South Plainfield in the early 1950's. A first class private and honorably discharged veteran of the United States Air Force, Willy served our country during WWII with the 893rd Air Engine Squadron and was a survivor of the Battle of the Bulge. Willy will be remembered as a jack of all trades and a master of all. He enjoyed working on engines, riding motorcycles and he was a world traveler. Willy was a charter member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church and a Master Mason, belonging to Jerusalem Lodge No. 26, F & A.M. of Plainfield for over 60 years. For the last 10 years, Willy was a resident of Whispering Knoll Assisted Living in Edison. He kept active by reading books to the kindergarteners of the MLK School in Edison where he was affectionately known as "Grandpa Willy". Predeceased by his beloved wife Emily who passed in 2010 and grandson, Kevin Meisnest; surviving are his two children, Raymond Meisnest and wife Denise of South Plainfield and Linda Whitman-Lane and husband Tom of Rhode Island, granddaughter Tyler Whitman and great grandson, River Tompkins. Funeral services will be held at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, 3145 Park Avenue, South Plainfield NJ 07080 on Wednesday April 26, 2017 at 11am. Interment will be private at the request of the family. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Willy's memory to Whispering Knoll Assisted Living, 62 James Street Edison NJ 08820.