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DIXON – Fred Elwood Meinke, 88, of Dixon, died peacefully Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, with family and friends, at Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon, from natural causes.
Fred was born Jan. 6, 1927, in Earlville, the son of Fred R. and Minnette (Johnson) Meinke. In 1931, the family moved to Dixon. As a child, Fred spent summers flying kites, swimming, kayaking, hunting, and fishing at his parents' Rock River cabin, working as a lifeguard at Lowell Park, and working back in Earlville on the family farms. As a Dixon High School student he excelled in sports, lettering in football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. In his senior year, he was voted “Most Athletic” by his classmates.
After graduating from high school in 1945, he was drafted by the Navy during World War II. In 1946, after his Navy service, he enrolled at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, in the pre-engineering program. In 1950, he joined another federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service, in Dixon. Later that year, he got his second draft notice and joined the Army during the Korean War. He trained in the bomb disposal unit, was promoted to sergeant, and deployed to Ulm, Germany. While serving in the Army, Fred, also known as “Fritz,” immediately made great friends and traveled throughout Europe for the Army. On weekend leaves, he enjoyed skiing in the Alps, and the sunny beaches of the Italian Riviera. After completing his military service in 1952, Fred returned to his family in Dixon and rejoined his career at the post office. He married the love of his life, Jacqueline Ann Rybick, on Aug. 17, 1957, at St Paul Lutheran Church in Dixon. Fred worked full-time so Jackie could put her art teaching career on hold to stay at home and raise their four young sons. They shared 54 wonderful years together before her death in 2011.
Fred had a great passion for sports; in the early 1970s, he was one of four local men to start Dixon’s first junior tackle football league. He was a very active volunteer for Dixon High School’s football and track and field teams. He received numerous accolades for his volunteer work and promoting high school athletics. After retiring in 1983, he immersed himself into his greatest passion – hunting. He was an outdoorsman to the core, spending his golden years at his beloved cabin hunting, fishing, gardening, and reading. When not hunting, he and Jackie enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, and entertaining.
Fred is survived by his four sons, F. Eric (Barbara) Meinke of Harvard, Alec (Myrna) Meinke of Kansas City, Missouri, Kurt (Ben Kretz) Meinke of Glendale, Wisconsin, and Brett (Janis) Meinke of Milwaukee; four granddaughters, Alexis Meinke Jones, Lauren Meinke Steffen, Brooklyn Meinke, and Mackenzie Meinke; his sister, Maureen Meinke (Kurt) Bechle of Esmond; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and sister, Constance Meinke Sellers.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Fred’s caregiver, Jennie Smith.
A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Cemetery – Maytown, 1376 Maytown Road, Amboy. A celebration of Fred’s life with food and drink will follow at the Meinke Cabin, 1141 Maytown Road, Amboy. Jones Funeral Home in Dixon is handling arrangements.
A memorial has been established to the Dixon Public Library.
Visit thejonesfh.com to send condolences.