Fred Elwood Meinke

Fred Elwood Meinke, 88, of Dixon, died peacefully Saturday, January 31, 2015, with family and friends at Serenity Hospice & Home, Oregon, IL from natural causes. Fred was born January 6, 1927, in Earlville, IL, the son of Fred R and Minnette (Johnson) Meinke. In 1931 the family moved to Dixon, IL. 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 & Field and Baseball. His senior year, he was voted “Most Athletic” by his classmates. After graduating from High School in 1945 he was drafted by the U.S. Navy during WWII. After his Navy service in 1946 he enrolled at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL, in the Pre-Engineering program. In 1950 he joined another federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service in Dixon, IL, later that year he got his second draft notice and joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War, trained in the bomb disposal unit, was promoted to Sergeant and deployed to Ulm, Germany. While serving in the Army, Fred aka “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 August 17, 1957 at St Paul’s 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 1970’s he was one of four local men to start Dixon’s first Junior Tackle Football League. He was a very active volunteer for the Dixon High School’s Football and Track & Field teams. He received numerous accolations 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, IL, Alec (Myrna) Meinke of Kansas City, MO, Kurt (Ben Kretz) Meinke of Glendale, WI, Brett (Janis) Meinke of Milwaukee, WI; four granddaughters, Alexis (Meinke) Jones, Lauren (Meinke) Steffen, Brooklyn Meinke, Mackenzie Meinke; his sister, Maureen (Meinke) and Kurt Bechle of Esmond, IL; along with 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. Graveside service will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 7th at St Patrick Cemetery Maytown, (1376 Maytown Rd, Amboy, IL 61310). Followed by a celebration of Fred’s life at the family cabin with food and drink. Meinke Cabin-1141 Maytown Rd, Amboy, IL 61310. A Memorial has been established to the Dixon Public Library.

Fred Elwood Meinke

January 6, 1927 - January 31, 2015