His beloved parents, Matthew Meckes and Odelia (Johannes) Meckes, passed in 1989, and his brothers Thomas and Lawrence followed in 2016 and 2006 respectively.
Mike was born in Keokuk, IA on August 5, 1943. He lived a long, happy life and died peacefully in his sleep at Research Medical Center.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Alice M. (Maas) Meckes and their nine children: Julie Perry, Connie (Sam) Lobina, Cindy (Tony) Lloyd, Lori (Jason) Obermark, Gretchen (John) Overstreet, John Meckes, Matt (Kaylah) Meckes, Lisa (Charlie) Pritchard, and Mary (Andy Garner - fiancée) Meckes. He was a devoted Grandpa to 14 grandchildren: Jason, Justin, Jordan, Anthony, Alex, Trevor, Thomas, David, Jesse, Ellis, Kyler, Al, Alora and Noah.
Mike graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1961. After school, he enlisted in the Army, where he served in Ethiopia for 18 months as a cartographer. He returned to Quincy and married Alice on June, 7, 1968 at St. Francis Solanus church. They moved to the Kansas City area shortly thereafter to follow a job opportunity shared by a friend.
Mike worked 32 years as an artistic engraver for Hallmark Cards. He was a wonderfully handy man to have around – slowly remodeling their home from a 2 bedroom / 2 bath to a 5 bedroom / 3 bath – all to shelter those he loved. He gave his children lots of fun memories during annual week-long camping trips. He could often be found tinkering on a vehicle or woodworking project while listening to the Royals on the radio. Mike spent many a night challenging his kids to either a game of HORSE around the basketball goal or a ping pong tournament. He loved 1:24 scale model cars / planes / motorcycles; which he enjoyed sharing with his grandkids. He also had a passion for our feathered friends – providing an assortment of feeders and seed for them to enjoy – while protecting them from the clutches of squirrels, raccoons and deer.
