Local community leader Ira Merideth, 66, dies

SIKESTON -- A long-time Sikeston businessman and civic leader, Ira Merideth died Sept. 20, 2002, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was 66.

Born Jan. 4, 1936, at Kennett, son of the late Owen and Dorothy Menz Merideth, he operated a long-term real estate and insurance company in Sikeston for the past 38 years. He served with many civic clubs and organizations including the Jaycees, Lion's Club, Sikeston City Council and Sikeston Chamber of Commerce. Also he served many years on the Kenny Rogers Children's Center Board of Directors and assisted with the first several telethons.

Among the numerous awards he received were Sikeston Man of the Year, Missouri Realtor Associate of the Year and Melvin Jones Award from Lion's International.

Survivors include: his wife, Sharon Merideth of the home; three sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Libby Uthoff Merideth, Timothy and Melissa McClain Merideth and Ronald and Christine Morrison Merideth of Sikeston; four brothers, Kenneth Merideth of Essex, Carl Merideth and Dale Merideth of Sikeston and Donald Merideth of Dexter; four sisters, Jo Ann Hardin of Kewanee, Jeris Goetz and Katy Howell of Sikeston and Karen Wade of Cape Girardeau; and nine grandchildren and one grandchild-in-law, Ryan Merideth, Ross Merideth, Chris Uthoff, Heather Couch, Jessica Merideth, Connor Merideth, Robyn Merideth, and Todd and Rachel Evans Irwin, all of Sikeston and Bryant Uthoff of Paducah, Ky.; and two great-grandchildren, Erica Irwin and Evan Irwin of Sikeston.

One brother, Gary Merideth, preceded him in death.

Visitation is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home where services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday. The Rev. William "Bill" Koch, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Sikeston Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Todd Irwin, grandsons Ryan Merideth and Ross Merideth; and nephews, Roy Merideth, Shannon Merideth and Marcus Merideth.

Memorial contributions may be sent to:

Sikeston Lion's Club P.O. Box 802 Sikeston, MO 63801

or

Kenny Rogers Children's Center 300 Floyd Ave. Sikeston, MO 63801