JOHN STEPHEN MEERDINK

MUSCATINE, Iowa – John Stephen Meerdink, 91, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at his home.

Funeral Service will be at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the First Baptist Church. Pastor Matt Haecker and Pastor Don Swanson will officiate. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the church. Memorials may be made to UnityPoint Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

John was born on December 11, 1934, in Muscatine, Iowa, the son of Earl Warren and Grace E. Varney Meerdink. He married Louise Forbes on August 3, 1955, in Muscatine, at the First Baptist Church.

John Graduated from Muscatine High School and was a business entrepreneur, he owned and operated Meerdink’s Amoco, J and L Restaurant, Meerdink’s Truck Stop and Auto Tech. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving from 1955 until 1957, stationed at Fort Bragg.

John’s passion for golf started at a young age, learning the skill when his mother worked at Park Lane Golf Course in Muscatine. He enjoyed playing cards in his bridge club, and spending time with family. He liked to help people.

John is survived by his wife of 70 years, Louise Meerdink; children, Lorrie Lacina, John Meerdink and his wife Mary Beth, and David Meerdink; grandchildren, Dawson, Delaney, James, Sarah, and Mikhala; great grandchildren, James Jr., Knox, Addison, Anthony, Andrew, and Alice; siblings, Warren ‘Skip’ Meerdink, Judy Meerdink Simmons, and Bill Meerdink.

John is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Barbara Meerdink Brown, Mike Meerdink, and Jay Meerdink.