Arthur H. Meckley

Arthur H. Meckley, 91, of Agawam Dr., Cromwell, former First Selectman of Middlefield, and husband of the late Janet M. (Heyd) Meckley, died Monday, (March 17, 2003) at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. Born in Millersville, PA, he was the son of the late George C. and Lottie R. (Rapp) Meckley. A graduate of Penn State University, Mr. Meckley was a Navy Veteran of World War II, had lived in Middlefield for 45 years, and in Cromwell for the past ten years. He was employed by the U.S.D.A. as a soil conservationist for 30 years. Besides the position of First Selectman, he held the positions of former building inspector and Town engineer for Portland; sanitation engineer for the Town of Haddam; and was director of the Coginchaug Water Shed Assn. He was the founder of the 4-H Camp in Moodus; and received the Outstanding Citizenship Award through the Middlefield Grange. Mr. Meckley was a member of the Middlefield Federated Church, where he was a member of the property and finance committee, and the building committee; and was an active member of the Middlefield Lions Club. He had enjoyed keeping busy with gardening around the house and canning all of their vegetables. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. David (Barbara) Baran of Windsor Locks, Mrs. Donald (Beverly) Smith of Middlefield, and Mrs. Gerard (Betty) Inkel of Plantsville; five grandchildren, Christine Goldfarb, Donald Smith, Keith Smith, Eric Inkel, and Sarah Inkel; two great granddaughters, Taylor Smith, and Madison Goldfarb; and a nephew, Edward Meckley of Pennsylvania. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Amy Inkel and a brother, Robert Meckley. Funeral services will be held at the Middlefield Federated Church, Saturday, March 22, at 10 a.m. The Rev. Dale Azevedo, minister, will officiate and interment will be in Middlefield Cemetery, Middlefield in the spring. There will be no calling hours. Friends who prefer, may make contributions in his memory to the Book of Remembrance, Middlefield Federated Church, 402 Main St., Middlefield, 06455 and are invited to send a condolence to the family at www.doolittlefuneralservice.com Doolittle Funeral Service, 14 Old Church St., Middletown, is in charge of arrangements.