Obituary: Fred Meeder, 92

Frederick Hayden Meeder, Jr. of Wilmette died peacefully surrounded by his sons on January 21 at the age of age 92.

Fred was born November 19, 1925 in East Orange, N.J., son of Frederick H. and Mary Elizabeth (nee Hatch) Meeder. He grew up in Maplewood, N.J. and graduated from Columbia High School in 1943. Fred earned a B.S.E. in Electrical Engineering from The University of Michigan in 1948. While in Ann Arbor, Fred met Hester V. Matthews. They married on October 14, 1950 in Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

After a brief tour of duty in the Army, Fred began a career in the investment castings industry as a manufacturer’s representative and started the F.H. Meeder Co. in the mid 1960s; he retired in the mid 1980s.

Civically minded, Fred volunteered for many organizations. He was a past president of the Wilmette Rotary Club as well as a Paul Harris Fellow. Other affiliations included board positions at the Michigan Shores Club, the North Shore Senior Center, as well as leadership positions at his condominium and retirement community.

Fred was a loving father to Robert (Margaret), Charles (Gwen) and James (Martha); proud grandfather to Wendy, Robert, Jr., Lisa (William) Berkenkamp, James, Bradley, David and Joni Meeder; great-grandfather of Lilly, Quinn and Henry; dear brother to Edith (Tim) Annin and fond uncle to many nieces and nephews. Fred was predeceased by his beloved Hester in 2001 and brother Richard (the late Bette) in 2008.

Fred will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather and caring friend to many. Rest now Fred, you are always in our hearts.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. until time of funeral service at 4 p.m. at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Boulevard, at Old Orchard Road, Skokie.

Interment: Clinton Grove Cemetery, Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

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