Rev. Paul J. Meismer, 82, of rural Granville, IL, passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

The funeral Mass of Christian burial was held Saturday, August 16th, at 11:00 a.m. at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Spring Valley.  The Most Reverend Louis Tylka, Bishop of Peoria, officiated.  Burial immediately followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Spring Valley.  A visitation for Fr. Paul was held Friday evening, August 15th, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., at the Barto Funeral Home (120 W. Cleveland St.) in Spring Valley.  Additional visitation was held Saturday morning, at the church, from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral services.

Fr. Paul was born on June 7, 1943, to Ralph H. and Mary C. (Sutcliffe) Meismer.  In 1969, he was ordained a priest of the Peoria Diocese on his birthday by Bishop John Franz at St. Mary’s Cathedral.  Father’s first assignment was as parochial vicar of St. Valentine in Peru. He was named administrator at St. Patrick in Arlington and Sacred Heart in Dimmick while remaining at St. Valentine, in 1975. He has served as pastor of St. Mary, Delevan, and St. Joseph, Hopedale; St. Patrick, Sheffield, St. John Vianney, Cambridge, and St. Margaret, Wyanet; Immaculate Conception, Spring Valley; and St. Patrick, Arlington, and Holy Trinity, Cherry. He also served at Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln. He was granted senior status in 2011. Since being granted senior status, Father Meismer has substituted at weekend Masses for priests who are ill or on vacation. One of his favorite things is hearing confessions, “bringing the Lord’s healing grace to penitents.”

Fr. Paul was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Jerry. He leaves behind, his sister, Margie Barnes and Barry Cassano; his brother, Kevin (Melanie) Meismer; sister-in-law, Sue Meismer; nephews and niece; and many close friends.

Memorial donations may be given to St. Bede Academy, 24 W US HWY 6, Peru, IL 61354 (https://www.st-bede.com/give-now), or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared by visiting bartofh.com