Merle Meeter

May 25, 1933 - Jan. 7, 2008

Merle L. Meeter departed this earth to join his beloved Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, on Jan. 8, 2008, at the age of 74. Merle was born in South Holland, Ill. He graduated from Illian Christian High School in 1951 as valedictorian and graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1955.

He taught at Muskegon Christian High School in Muskegon, Mich., where he met and married the former Gloria Bollenbacher on Aug. 28, 1958. He received his M.A. from the University of Michigan in 1959.

He taught at Lynden Christian High in Lynden, Wash., for three years, then moved to Sioux Center, Iowa, to teach at Dordt College, for 16 years.

In 1978, the family moved to El Cajon, near San Diego, to begin teaching at Christian Heritage College. Merle did many summers of post-grad coursework at the University of Iowa, UC-San Diego and the University of San Diego.

Merle's passion in life was to spread the Word of God to others and his means was through his writings, poetry, short stories and novels. Many stories and articles were published in Christian publications throughout the years.

Merle loved sports, especially arm wrestling. Not only did he participate in the sport, but he also trained family and friends.

In retirement, Merle and Gloria moved to Leisure Town in Vacaville, to be near one of their daughters.

Merle is survived by his wife, Gloria; and his children, Gregory (Lorelei) Meeter of Spencer, Iowa, Rob (Janelle) Meeter of Portland, Ore., Cynthia James of Vacaville, Sheri (Brent) Dragoo of Dallas, Texas, Sally (David) Price of Vacaville, and Mary (Ben) Mwangi of Lemon Grove; 15 grandchildren; one step-great-granddaughter; his sisters, Cecilia (Andy) Reitveld, St. Johns, Ind., and Nancy (Phil) Piersma of Arcadia, Mich.; and his brother, Wayne, of South Holland, Ill.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008, at McCune Garden Chapel, 212 Main St., Vacaville, at 1 p.m.