Memorial

John H. Meeker, 58 of Marion, Iowa passed on January 6th, 2016 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy peacefully after a courageous battle with Lung Cancer. 
 
John was born on September 30, 1957 in Virginia Beach, Virginia to Darlene and Harold Meeker.  John was one of four children, the third of the bunch and had a remarkable childhood traveling the country following his father’s successful Navy career.  Upon his father’s retirement from the services John and his family settled in Grinnell, Iowa where John finished his schooling and graduated from Grinnell High School in 1975.  John started his college career at Kirkwood Community College where he met his future wife and soulmate. Kim Vehslage from Fairfield, Iowa.  John went on to receive education from The University of Iowa and Graduated from Wartburg College in 1979 with a degree in Business Administration.  Although his time at Iowa was short, John remained an avid Hawkeye fan throughout his life.  After college John and Kim married on December 29th, 1979 and eventually settled in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where John began his career at Universal Engineering and eventually moving on to a lengthy and very successful career at Marion Mixers in Marion, Iowa.  John and Kim welcomed two wonderful and loving daughters Lindsay Michelle born September 6th, 1982 and Abby Elizabeth born August 4th, 1990.  John enjoyed watching his girls grow into successful and loving women and was proud to give them away to two supportive husbands Chad and Andrew. John was an avid car enthusiast spending much of his free time, buying, trading and building two collectible street rods.  Cars were a passion of John’s throughout his life and he made many friends and memories throughout his car “community”. Along with cars John also enjoyed rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes through many good and mediocre seasons.  He enjoyed tailgating and sporting his Iowa attire.  He was a proud father when his two daughters became Hawkeye Alumni.  John had a passion for people and made many friends and memories wherever he was and doing whatever he enjoyed.
 
Survivors include John’s wife of 36 years, Kim (Vehslage) Meeker of Marion, Iowa, Lindsay (Chad) Perrien of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Abby (Andrew) Host of Grimes, Iowa.  John was a proud grandfather to two wonderful, loving Grandsons Brayden John Perrien and Sawyer Paul Perrien.  John was also survived by his mother Darlene Meeker of Grinnell, Iowa, brother Steve Meeker of Seattle, Washington, brother Brian Meeker of Grinnell Iowa, Mother-In-Law Catherine Kann of Fairfield, Iowa, Brother-In-Law Linn Vehslage of Fairfield, Iowa and many beloved nephews, nieces and friends.  John loved his family and friends deeply and considered them his greatest legacy.
 
John was preceded in death by his Father Harold Meeker, Sister Cynthia Garduno, Father-In-Law Logan Kann and Dear Friend Wade Hanse. 
 
Per John’s wishes we will be holding a celebration of life.  In lieu of services a visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial from 4-6 pm on Saturday January 9th, followed by a casual and light-hearted gathering at Ramsey’s Wine Bistro (1120 7th Avenue Marion, IA 52302) starting at 7 pm.
 
The Family requests that all donations for John’s Memorial be made to the Donna and Dennis Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.  The family wishes to thank all of the wonderful care staff that helped John throughout his journey.