Donald Mealiff

Donald C. Mealiff, 91, passed away on April 10, 2019 in his home in Mendon. Don was born January 22, 1928 in Quincy, Illinois. He was the son of the late Walter and Marjorie (Myers) Mealiff. He married LaVerne Alhorn on April 4, 1954 in Arensville, Illinois. LaVerne preceded him in death on August 1, 2017.

Don graduated from Mendon Township High School in 1946 and attended Colorado State University. He served in the United States Army from 1950-1952. He was a lifelong grain and livestock farmer and sold Pioneer seed corn for 13 years. Don was a member of the Salem Lutheran Church in Mendon. He was a Sunday School teacher and served on the church council for many years. Don was a leader in the community. He enjoyed bringing people together to help make the local area a better place. He was a member and served as president of the Mendon Lions Club, the Adams County Soil and Water Conservation Board, and the Glenwood Community Club. He was also a member of the Adams County Farm Bureau serving on the board for six years and chairman of the extension council for two years. In addition, he was a member of the Old Thyme Association and had been a leader of the Mendon Marvels 4-H Club. Don loved his community and wanted to preserve the history of Mendon. Through the Lions Club he recorded interviews with long-time residents about their lives and the way they lived in the early 20th century. He then donated the videos to the 4-Star Library.

After retiring from farming Don and LaVerne ran the Honey Creek Kettle Corn stand for 20 years attending fair and festivals from Northern Illinois to Central Florida. Don enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. He also took pleasure in rekindling old friendships as he organized several reunions for the US Army company he had been stationed with. He was very instrumental in organizing reunions for his high school class many times in the last 73 years. Don was a true friend.

Don is survived by four children, Janet (Stan) Hendrickson of Mendon, David Mealiff of Golden, Colorado, Debbie (John) Dowdall of Tucson, Arizona, and Anita (Mike) Stasiak of Lakeland, Florida; six grandchildren, Joyce (Doug) Woodruff of Mendon, Scott Hendrickson of Chicago, Lindsey (Bucky) Smith of Lakeland, Florida, Ashley (Brandon) McMillen of Valrico, Florida, Joe Dowdall of Tucson, Arizona, and Heather Dowdall of Flagstaff, Arizona.; two great grandsons, Logan Woodruff and Jasper Smith. Don is also survived by his sister Marilyn, (Gerald) Miller of Mendon and many nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to Don’s Hospice team and care givers who provided such wonderful care and support to not only Don but also to his family.

Services will be 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 13, 2019 in Salem Lutheran Church in Mendon with Dan Wilson officiating. He will be laid to rest in Mendon Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Bear Creek American Legion Post #823. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Friday, April 12, 2019 in the Hunter Funeral Home in Mendon. Memorial contributions have been suggested to Unity Point Hospice Moments that Matter, Salem Lutheran Church, or Glenwood Community Club. You are invited to share memories of Don, leave condolences or view the tribute video at www.hunterfuneralhomes.com