Meeker, Orville Walter

Orville Walter Meeker, 84, passed away suddenly at Washington County Hospital, Washington, on March 15, 2012.

Orville was the quintessential Iowa farmer, husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend to many. He came from modest means and worked hard and instilled his work ethic into his family. He led a Christian life. He was a founding member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wapello, Iowa.

Orville was born March 4, 1928, in Warsaw, Ill., to Fred and Grace (Hilst) Meeker. He was raised in Green Valley, Ill. He graduated from Green Valley High School and was proud of his history as a basketball star and school record holder in the 440-yard dash. He married Hildegarde Louise Detjen (“Lovey”) on Feb. 6, 1949.

The young Meeker couple farmed in Oakville, Iowa until 1959, when they moved to a farm in Letts, Iowa, where he made a successful career in farming. He created Orville Meeker and Sons purebred swine business and his genetic lines of Hampshires and Durocs were sold nationally and internationally. His livestock won many awards. He worked tirelessly and loved his chosen field and only retired when forced by health reasons.

Lovey passed away Jan. 2, 1994. Orville married Marcy Gerst on July 12, 1997.

Orville is survived by his wife, Marcy; his sons, Dr. David Meeker (Beatriz) of the Washington, D.C., area, Tom (Ann) Meeker of Muscatine, Donald (Kris) Meeker of Muscatine, the Rev. Dennis (Lorna) Meeker of Kisumu, Kenya Africa, Dr. Brian (Linda) Meeker of Vinton and Dr. Mark (Shari) Meeker of Galesburg, Ill.; stepdaughters, Beth (Brian) Fleenor of Burlington and Dawn (Stanley) Miller of Iowa City; his two sisters, LuVerne Johns of Fort Lauderdale By the Sea, Fla., and Lois Brenneman of Pekin, Ill.; and three sisters-in-law, Bernadine Meeker of Delavan, Ill., Delores Chapman of Emden, Ill., and Josephine Henry of Galesburg, Ill. Orville's legacy includes 26 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Besides his first wife, Lovey, he was preceded in death tragically by his son, Steven, on Sept. 26, 1985; and his parents. His brothers that preceded him were Clarence, Earl, Harley, Roy, Robert and Floyd.

Visitation is scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 18, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 226 Washington St., Wapello, with the family present. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, March 19, also at St. Paul Lutheran Church, with Pastor Chris Hinkle officiating. Burial will be at the Letts Cemetery. Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home of Wapello is in charge of arrangements.

Published March 17, 2012 in The Gazette