Carl Van Meter, 82, of Monticello (Buffalo area), Indiana, passed away at 12:05 p.m., Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the Indiana University Health Arnett Hospital of Lafayette, Indiana.

 

He was born on March 26, 1940, in rural Pulaski County,  Indiana, to the late Robert and Evelyn (Davis) Van Meter

On September 4, 1960, at the Buffalo Christian Church of Buffalo, Indiana, he married Zona Ezra; she survives.

Carl had lived in the Buffalo, Indiana, area all his life.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 11, 2023, here at the Miller - Roscka Funeral Home of Monticello, Indiana.

 

Celebration of Life Service will be here at the Miller - Roscka Funeral Home of Monticello, Indiana, at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 12, 2023, with Les Ezra officiating. 

 

Entombment will be Private for the Family at the Tippecanoe Memory Gardens of West Lafayette, Indiana. 

 

Memorials may be given to Charity of Choice in Memory of Carl Van Meter.  Envelopes will be available here at the funeral home or can be Mailed to the Miller - Roscka Funeral Home, 6368 E. US 24, Monticello, Indiana, 47960. 

 

Biographical Information:

Carl had lived in the Buffalo, Indiana, area all his life. He was a member of the Buffalo Christian Church in Buffalo, Indiana. Throughout Carl's career in education as a teacher, middle-school principal, and founder/director of the Alternative School in Monticello he had many accomplishments. Carl collaborated and initiated The Hoosier Spell Bowl; served as President of the Indiana Principal's Leadership Academy, served on the School Board at North White School Corporation of Monon, Indiana, the hospital board at White County Memorial Hospital of Monticello, Indiana, and on the Child Protective Services Committee. He also initiated a tutoring program at the White County Jail of Monticello, Indiana, which continues to this day. His proudest accomplishment as an educator was the Alternative School and the Adult Education Center where he taught troubled students and adults to achieve their GED. Carl obviously impacted many lives during his career but will most likely be remembered as the "Buffalo Man".  Along with his father-in-law (Virgil Ezra), he purchased the first American Bison in 1976 and began growing the herd and started The Buffalo Ranch. He grew it into a family business and began selling meat and setting up at various festivals.  The Buffalo Ranch continues to operate as a family business. Carl will best be remembered by his family as a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather (GGPa).  Our family’s patriarch will be greatly missed by all.

Survivors include:

Wife,

Zona Van Meter of Monticello (Buffalo area), Indiana;

 

Two (2) Children,

Troy (wife Laura) Van Meter of Monticello (Buffalo area), Indiana, and

Heidi (fiancé DeWitt Hummel) Van Meter of Indianapolis, Indiana, Indiana; 

 

Four (4) Grandchildren,

Dustin Van Meter of Lafayette, Indiana,

Erin (husband Nick) Kissel of Cedar Rapids, Iowa,

Carlee (husband Kevin) Bachek of Indianapolis, Indiana, and

Zane (fiancé Andersyn Benedict) Smith of Indianapolis, Indiana;

 

Seven (7) Great Grandchildren,

Lux, Beaux, and Phoenix Van Meter (children of Dustin and Kelly Van Meter),

Grace, Weston, and Reneé Kissel (children of Erin and Nick Kissel),  and

Ezra Smith (son of Zane Smith and Andersyn Benedict);

 

Two (2) Sisters,

Mabel (Van Meter) Osborne of Boliver, Missouri, and

Sarah (husband Chuck) (Van Meter) Ward of Monon, Indiana; 

 

Four (4) Brothers,

Max (wife Margaret) Van Meter of Monticello, Indiana,

Bill (wife Diane) Van Meter of Monticello (Buffalo area), Indiana, 

John (wife Darlene) Van Meter of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and

Wilson "Butch" Van Meter of Rhinelander, Wisconsin; 

 

Mother-In-Law,

Frances Ezra of Idaville, Indiana;

 

Daughter-In-Law,

Bonnie Van Meter of Monticello, Indiana;

 

Several Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces, Great Nephews, Cousins, and Friends.

 

Preceded in Death:

Parents,

Robert and Evelyn Van Meter;

 

Son,

Monte Carl Van Meter;

 

One (1) Brother,

Harry "Dale" Van Meter;

 

Arrangements by:
Miller - Roscka Funeral Home, 6368 E. US 24, Monticello, Indiana, 47960 (574) 583-8488.