Richard D. Meinika

A lifelong member of the community he loved, Richard D. Meinika lived a life of purpose while holding his loved ones near. He was a hardworking man who worked tirelessly to provide for the family he shared with the love of his life. Together Dick and his wife farmed their land, and they were so blessed to witness their family tree blossom to include the numerous branches of loved ones who made him so very proud. Although life wasnt easy for him, he faced whatever came his way with strength and courage. Deeply loved, Dick will be forever missed.

It was great to be an American during the 1920s. Radios, washing machines, and cars that were mass produced on assembly lines were signs of the time, and prosperity was largely felt nationwide. Amidst this eventful time was a time of great anticipation in the lives of Ralph and Cecilia A. (Troutman) Meinika as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as summer was drawing to a close in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in August of 1927. The big day finally arrived on August 14th when the baby boy they named Richard D. drew his first breath. He was joined in his family by his sister, Jean, and they also had a brother named Ralph who died as an infant.

Raised in Washington Township of Whitley County, Dick was a young boy of his generation. He grew up farming, which meant that he had his fair share of farm chores. Despite his responsibilities, Dick still found the time to go hunting and fishing. He always lived within a few miles of the school that he attended. In high school he played some basketball and was the manager for the Washington Center School. Dick later graduated in 1946.

A few years after high school, Dick met a young lady who would change the course of his life forever. Her name was Helen Hosler, and they were an amazing pair. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Dick and his sweetheart were married on February 11, 1950. Together they welcomed three sons, Larry, Rick, and Dave, and one daughter, Cheryl. Partners in parenting, Dick and Helen also farmed together. Over the years they grew the family farm to raising hogs and farming over 2,000 acres, known as Meinika Farms. An active part of his childrens lives, Dick supported them in their involvement with the local 4-H. For several years, he and his wife took their children traveling up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during the summers. They and another family stayed in a log cabin on Anderson Lake located between Iron River and Iron Mountain. Later on, Dick was thrilled to become a grandfather, and it made him so proud when there were four generations all baptized at the same time when Dick, his father, his son Dave, and his granddaughter Nicole were all baptized together in 1978.

As his family and friends can attest, Dick was rarely one to be still. Within his community he was a 50 year member of the Washington Township Fire Department,he also belonged to the Eagles Lodge #1906 and the South Whitley Lions Club. He had also been a Mason. After retiring from farming, he had more time to satiate his love for tractors. Dick enjoyed traveling around to the tractor shows, restoring and collecting antique John Deere tractors, and just being outside. During his retirement years, he restored and collected numerous antique John Deere tractors. He liked fishing and hunting for pheasant and deer and the occasional fox. Dick was an I. U. basketball fan but started watching Texas Tech once Bobby Knight started coaching for them as he was a loyal Bobby Knight fan. Another favorite activity was playing cards, especially Euchre, with his family and close friends.

Life was forever changed for Dick on September 5, 1995. On that day, his beloved Helen died after a mowing accident at their home. She was an amazing partner, his best friend, and the love of his life. Dick continued on, but he forever missed her.

All who knew Richard Dick Meinika would agree that he was truly extraordinary. He worked hard in everything he did, but he made the time to enjoy life along the way, too. Deeply devoted to his family, Dick was a loving husband and father whose family was his greatest source of pride and joy. With a life that was dedicated to farming in his community, he was the sort of person everyone knew and loved. Dick will never be forgotten.

Richard D. Meinika, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at The Hearth of Sycamore Village just west of Fort Wayne. Dicks family includes his sons, Larry (Deb) Meinika, Rick (Cheryl) Meinika and Dave (Tamara) Meinika, all of Columbia City; daughter, Cheryl Fulk, of Columbia City; grandchildren, Michelle Meinika, of Fort Wayne, Kerry Meinika, of Columbia City, Josh (Sarah)Meinika, of Albion, Jacob (Donelda) Meinika, of Columbia City, Nicole (Scott) Trier, of Columbia City, Ryan (Leaha) Meinika, of Columbia City, Kyle (Brook) Meinika, of Columbia City, Seth Fulk, of Kentucky and Shawna (Marshall) Steinmann, of Lewes, Del.; and 21 great-grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen Meinika; granddaughter, Corrie Elizabeth Meinika; sister, Mildred Jean Mullen; and infant brother, Ralph Allen Meinika.

Visitation is 3 - 7 p.m. Friday, January 20, 2017, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2017, at the funeral home with Certified Funeral Celebrant Sharon Brockhaus and Pastor Jeremy Wike of Community of Hope Church officiating. Dick will be laid to rest next to his wife at Eberhard Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given in his memory to Visiting Nurse Hospice Home or Whitley County Ag Museum. To send his family condolences on-line, visit www.demoneygrimes.com .