Mrs. Jean Meinders, age 81, of Metropolis, IL, died at 2:10 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at the Metropolis Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Metropolis, IL.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, 2016, at Miller Funeral Home with Rev. David Deem officiating. Burial will follow in the St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Jean retired from Mittendorf’s Food Center in Metropolis after many years of filling orders and helping customers. A favorite saying was “Grocery bills are better than doctor bills”, and she followed her own advice with her kitchen open to all who stopped by. Christmas and birthdays were her favorite holidays, complete with obligatory participation and celebration. She saw the best in everyone and it was mirrored back to those fortunate enough to have known her. Her legacy is as an example of tolerance and love for others. She made us smile.
Jean is survived by her husband Lester Meinders of Metropolis; children, James Pratte Jr. and wife Vickie of Metropolis; Michael Pratte and wife Joi of Flower Mound, TX, Sheila Graves and husband Harley of Kevil, KY, and Cindy Walker and husband David of Paducah, KY; three grandchildren, Stephanie Pratte of Flower Mound, TX, James Pratte of Carrollton, TX, and Wes Graves of San Antonio, TX; four great grandchildren, Estaban Ceylaya, Alexis Ceylaya, Mason Pratte, and Emerson Pratte; three stepchildren, Mark Meinders of Metropolis, Randy Meinders and wife Beth of Metropolis, and Aaron Meinders and wife Jackie of Water Valley, KY; ½ sister, Judy Muir of Eugena, OR; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ray Brennecke; stepfather and mother, Marvin and Nell (Williams) Lee; one brother, Earl Brennecke.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon until the funeral hour at 2:00 p.m. at the Miller Funeral Home in Metropolis.
Memorial contributions may take the form of donations to the American Diabetes Association 425 S. Woods Mill Rd. Chesterfield, MO 63017.
Pallbearers- James Pratte Jr., Michael Pratte, Harley Graves, David Walker, Wes Graves, Aaron Meinders
Miller Funeral Home in Metropolis is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com.
