Donald J. Meeks

DONALD J. MEEKS, 85, formerly of Fort Wayne, died Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011, 11:30 a.m., in Elkhart after a long battle with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Born June 30, 1925, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of the late Lloyd and Lucille Meeks. As a World War II veteran, he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He was well known in the Fort Wayne Arts Community as an artist and member of the Fort Wayne Art Guild for many years and also as a singer with Audiences Unlimited performing at many area nursing homes and with Lutheran Ministries. Surviving are his former wives, Marilyn Meeks Thrasher and Gloria (Brooks) Meeks; son, Glenn Meeks; stepsons, Mike Brooks and Bob Brooks; daughter, Abby Meeks; stepdaughter, Mrs. Tim (Valerie) Lambert; grandsons, Nick Meeks, Sam Brooks and Thomas Brooks; granddaughters, Sarah Brooks, Lauren Lambert and Rachael Lambert; great-granddaughter, Elise Meeks; and multiple nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Arden Meeks; and sisters, Janice (Meeks) Beery and Carolyn (Kelsey) Laycock. Funeral service is 2 p.m. Saturday at C.M. Sloan & Sons Funeral Home, 1327 N. Wells St., with visitation from noon until 2 p.m. Burial in Uniontown Cemetery. www.sloanandsonsfuneralhome.com