JOHN JOSEPH MEEK

John Joseph Meek, 88 of Trowbridge, Illinois passed away at 8:20 a.m. on October 1, 2021, at Heartland Senior Living in Neoga.  John was born on March 7,1933, in Trowbridge, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his wife Loretta "Rett" (Ballinger) Meek who passed away April 28, 2021. John and "Rett" were married, September 3, 1955, and spent many happy years together building a business and creating a life to be remembered.
He is survived by his children Bob Meek (Marlene) of Neoga, Illinois, Ron Meek (Beverly) of Bonnie, Illinois, and Carla Doll (Jerry) of Trowbridge, Illinois, seven grandchildren including Beth Craig of Neoga, Illinois, Bill Meek (Teri) of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Heather Henderson (Devin) of Aldie, Virginia, Kendel Durbin (Kyle) of Glen Carbon, Illinois, Bailey Barretto (Mick) of Cary, North Carolina, Erica Williamson (Jason) of Tuscola, Illinois, and Jerod Doll (Hannah) of Neoga, Illinois. He also leaves eleven great-grandchildren: Laila Henderson, Aubrey Williamson, Gabrielle Craig, Kyleigh Williamson, Weston Meek, Owen Henderson, Caleb Meek, Josephine Craig, Chloe Henderson, Genevieve Meek, and Carter Meek-Craig.
John served as a Private First Class in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 and fought in the Korean War. He was a long-time employee of Young Radiator, Mattoon, Illinois. John also worked as a bus mechanic for Unit 3 School District in Neoga.
John had two loves in his life, his wife "Rett" and motorcycles! Of course, his wife was his first and true love, but sometimes we think she wondered about that. He, along with his wife "Rett," owned and operated Meek's Motorcycle Sales & Service for many years. He raced flat track and hill climbed in his younger days and was always there to turn a wrench when his sons were old enough to stand up on two wheels and join the racing family.
He had an amazing talent for taking a box of pieces and parts and building a motorcycle out of it. He could tell you the exact make and model of a bike just by hearing the sound it made. At age 16, he built his first bike from the ground up, much to the chagrin of the neighbors and his soon to be in-laws. His reputation for being the best damn motorcycle mechanic in the world stretched to the far corners of the earth. As many of their customers consisted of riders from other states and countries as far away as Australia.
He and "Rett" were lifetime members of the Effingham Chapter of the Harley Owners Group (HOG) and made many, true lifetime friends along the way. The "club" was truly their second family.
John was preceded in death by his parents, J. Ernest and E. Frances (Monaghan) Meek; and his four siblings, Rita Cyr (husband: Pat), James Meek (wife: Shirley), Frances Mary Meek, and Teddy Meek, who died in childbirth.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Swengel-O'Dell Funeral Home in Neoga with a tribute to John immediately following the visitation. John felt most comfortable in a pair of jeans and motorcycle shirt. The family encourages you to dress in casual attire or motorcycle gear for the visitation.
A Mass of Christian burial and celebration of John's life will be held on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption church in Neoga. Everyone is invited to join the motorcycle procession that will lead John to his final resting place at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Trowbridge.
Memorials, in John's honor, can be made to the Central Illinois Motorcycle Club (CIMC). 
Swengel-O'Dell Funeral Home in Neoga, Illinois is assisting with arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at swengel-odell.com.

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