Paul “Richard” Meeks of Valparaiso passed away after a long and courageous
battle with cancer on Sunday morning, July 18, 2010 at the VNA Horton
Hospice Center in Valparaiso. He was 67.
Richard, as he
was known by family and friends, was born in Gary on Sept. 30, 1942 to Paul
and Juanita (Garrard) Meeks, who preceded him in death.
He is survived
by his devoted wife of 45 years, Jane (Karanovich) Meeks of Valparaiso; son
James Meeks (wife Donna) of Chesterton; daughter Janis Walker of Valparaiso;
grandchildren Gambit (Heather) Meeks of Minnesota, and Mandi Baekey of
Georgia; brothers Jack (Cheryl) of Morton, Wash., and John (Olga) of
Merrillville.
Richard
graduated from Tolleston High School in Gary in 1960 and proudly served in
and was honorably discharged from the United States Navy from 1960-1963.
Richard retired from Bethlehem Steel Burns Harbor’s Plant in 1988 and from
U.S. Steel/Midwest Steel in February, 2010. He was a member at the American
Legion Post #502 and of Our Lady of Sorrows Church. He loved “A Christmas
Story” and the Three Stooges. His laugh and sense of humor will be greatly
missed by family and friends.
A funeral
service celebrating the life of Richard will be held Thursday, July 22 at 6
p.m. at the Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 6941 Central Ave., Portage with
the American Legion Post 502 chaplain officiating. Visitation will be from 2
p.m. until the time of service. Cremation will follow at Heritage Crematory,
Portage. A Private Interment of Ashes will follow at a later date, at
Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso. Memorials may be made to the VNA Horton
Hospice Center or the American Cancer Society.
www.EE-FH.com