Charles "Charlie" Meckel

Charles "Charlie" Richard Meckel, age 77 of Marion, passed away on October 3, 2025. Charles was born on April, 24, 1948 in San Antonio, Texas to Mary Lucille (Coker) and Alvin Phillip Meckel.
Charlie grew up in San Antonio, Texas and was a 1966 graduate of Sam Houston High School. He received his Associates Degree from St. Philips College in 1980. Enlisting in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970, Charlie proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. His lifetime of jobs included working as a union carpenter apprentice with his dad in San Antonio, working in steel manufacturing at Ewing and Records, Inc. in Converse then moving into office clerical work. After being honorably discharged from the army, he worked as a supervisor for Albert's Lawn and Garden Service providing mowing, maintenance and landscaping for commercial properties. Next came working as a self-employed contractor for TXDOT and then finally retiring from the City of Seguin after 20 years as a Class B Water Treatment Operator. While working for the City of Seguin, he served as the manager of Germania Bowling Club in Zuehl, TX for many years as he also enjoyed bowling 9-pin at many bowling clubs.
An avid outdoorsman, Charlie especially loved hunting whitetail, mule deer and elk in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado with family and friends. He enjoyed working with and designing metal art, taxidermy projects and was a collector of all things. His most precious times were spent gunsmithing and providing his expert knowledge of guns and ammunition to his family, friends and other gun enthusiasts.
Charlie is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Allen Ray Meckel and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Leonie (Albrecht) and Benno Adolph Haecker, Sr. along with numerous sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-laws.
He met his beautiful and caring wife at a dance hall called the Golden Stallion in San Antonio in February 1971. Once they met, Charlie knew immediately that "she was the one and only for me!" They were married on August 21, 1971, at Redeemer Church in Zuehl, TX.
Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Elaine "Cookie" Haecker Meckel, daughter Tabby McHardy and husband Robert; son, Troy Meckel, granddaughters, Skylar McHardy, and Winter Monilaw and husband Joshua; sisters-in-law, Myrna Meckel, Ruby Golla, Carolyn Cohu, and Debi Haecker; numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and great-great nephews, other loving family members and a host of friends.
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Redeemer Church in Zuehl followed by a memorial service celebrating Charlie's life at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Jennifer Gold officiating. A reception will follow.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be: Stephen Albert, Rene Meckel, Kevin Haecker, Tim Dylla, Kyle Haecker, Tobie Dylla, Bryan Golla, Todd Haecker, Kenny Shaefer, David Rohde, Alton Vrana, Ken Carnes, Rock Greenlief, Jerry Baumann, Dennis Zwicke, Brian Smith, Danny Bornemann and Ralph Reininger.
Private interment will be held at a later date in the Redeemer Church Cemetery in Zuehl.
Memorial contributions may be made to Redeemer Church in Zuehl, 7415 Gin Road, Marion, Texas, 78124.