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Plainwell Schools to Rename Gym After Educator Killed in Silo Accident
The Ryan Meert Memorial Gymnasium will honor the late teacher and farmer who died in 2023.
Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:39pm
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Plainwell Community Schools announced that the gymnasium at Plainwell Middle School will be officially renamed after Ryan Meert, an educator who tragically died in a grain silo accident in 2023. Meert, who was also a farmer, became trapped and sank underneath the grain while working in the silo on June 29 of that year.
Why it matters
The renaming of the gymnasium is a way for the Plainwell community to honor Meert's memory and legacy as an educator and farmer who was deeply involved in the local community. It also serves as a somber reminder of the dangers that farmers and agricultural workers can face in their line of work.
The details
According to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office, Meert became trapped within the grain silo and eventually sank underneath the grain, leading to his death. In recognition of his contributions to the school and community, the district is hosting a ceremony on February 3 to officially rename the middle school's gymnasium as the "Ryan Meert Memorial Gymnasium."
- Ryan Meert died in a grain silo accident on June 29, 2023.
- The renaming ceremony will be held on February 3, 2026.
The players
Ryan Meert
An educator and farmer who died in a grain silo accident in 2023. The gymnasium at Plainwell Middle School will be renamed in his honor.
Plainwell Community Schools
The school district that is renaming the gymnasium at Plainwell Middle School after Ryan Meert.
What’s next
The renaming ceremony will be held on February 3, 2026 after the middle school wrestling meet.
The takeaway
This tragic story highlights the risks that farmers and agricultural workers face in their line of work, and the Plainwell community's decision to honor Ryan Meert's memory through the renaming of the gymnasium is a meaningful way to remember his contributions to the school and local area.
