Jack Bernard Meinert

He was born May 17, 1923, in Evansville, Ind., where he went to school. He married Arlene Wilkinson on May 22, 1944, in the governor’s hearing room in the state capital building in Lincoln, Neb.

He served as a cook in the Army Air Corps during World War II, stationed in Lincoln, Neb. He was stationed on Tinian island for a year, where the famous B29 Enola Gay was based. While in the Army, he played basketball with Goose Tatum, a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. He was discharged on Christmas Eve, 1945. He and Arlene stayed in California for 10 days before they returned to Evansville, where they lived until 1949. They returned to California and lived in Mar Vista, near Venice.

He and Arlene moved to Chino in 1978, while he was working in Los Angeles for 7-Up. He worked for 7-Up for 34 years before retiring on his birthday in 1988. All of the company’s employees signed his retirement certificate, from president to janitorial staff. Before joining 7-Up, he worked for Arrowhead Water Co. for five years.

He enjoyed horse racing and taking his goddaughter to the races. He played softball and basketball, and pool at the Chino Senior Center, where he played in tournaments, winning in 1992 and 1997. He won the center’s Legends games in 2002. He was a past president of the Chino Senior Club and was a member of the Elks club.

He attended Chino city council meeting for many years, sometimes accompanied by Arlene.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Arlene, of Chino; and son, Jack Bernard Meinert II of Chino.

He was preceded in death by all four of his brothers.

A celebration of life will be held, probably after the first of the year.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria del angel Pierce Brothers Griffith, Chino, CA.