David R. Meeker Sr.

1959 - 2020

ONEIDA-David R. Meeker, Sr., 61, Willow Meadow Way, retired City of Oneida Chief of Police, died early Saturday morning, December 19, 2020, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family.Born in Oneida, on July 24, 1959, he was the son of Guy and Betty Standen Meeker. A lifelong resident of this area, David was a graduate of the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School and attended college. He married Geraldine La Londe in St. John’s Episcopal Church, Oneida, on May 28, 1983.Prior to his retirement in 2017, Chief had a stellar career in law enforcement with the Oneida Police Department, which spanned over thirty-six years. He was appointed to the department in 1981, promoted to sergeant in 1989, lieutenant in 1998 and department chief in 2000. During this this time, David enjoyed working with the members of the department, helped design the current police headquarters and headed all law enforcement actions in the recent flood. In 2017, he was honored as the “Officer of the Year” by the members of his department.David was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, where he served as a vestryman, a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, a member of the Oneidas Club and a member of the John R. Deschamps, Sr. Police Benevolent Association.Surviving besides his wife, Geraldine, are his two sons and daughter-in-law, David R. and Kimberly Meeker and Christopher J. Meeker, all of Oneida; his four grandchildren, who were the love of his life, Trent, Ty, Kamryn and Kendyl; his mother, Betty Meeker of Vernon; his sister and her husband, Sharon and Michael Danaher of Sylvan Beach; his brother, Robert Meeker of Vernon; Gerry’s family, Sandy and Arthur Le Roy of Sylvan Beach, Raymond and Lisa La Londe, Robin La Londe and Donna and Bruce Hollenbeck, all of Oneida, Bonnie and Eric Englebrecht of Alexandria Bay, Mary and Douglas Mennig and Henry Havener, all of Munnsville and Rosemary and Raffaele Lamura of Lorsch, Germany; a very dear family friend, Jackie Moller; numerous nieces and nephews; and his men and women of the department. He was predeceased by his father, Guy, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Raymond and Nettie La Londe and his sister-in-law, Jacqueline Havener.David’s family wishes to thank, with gratitude, the Ninth Floor staff at Upstate Medical University Hospital, and especially Dr. Marcia Newsom and Dr. Stephen Blakely and their staffs, for the care and concern given to David and his familyFuneral services will be held 10 AM, Tuesday (12/29/2020 ) from St. Patrick’s Church, with the Very Rev. Arthur “Nick” Smith, officiating. Interment will be made in Glenwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, Inc., 260 Main Street, Oneida, 2-6 PM, Monday ( 12/28/2020). Contributions, in his memory, may be made to the John R. Deschamps PBA Scholarship Fund, in memory of Chief Meeker, 109 N. Main Street, Oneida.To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.campbell-dean.com. CAMPBELL-DEAN FUNERAL HOME, INC. Oneida