Alan F. Meeker

Alan F. Meeker, age 97, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 with his daughters and pastor by his side. Born on July 8, 1925 in South Bend, Indiana, to Arley and Esther (nee Walter) Meeker, he grew up in Niles, Michigan and later Dearborn, Michigan with his mother and father and two older brothers, Virgil and Lynn. After graduating from Fordson High School, he attended Wayne State University (WSU) where he majored in instrumental music, studying conducting as well as choral technique and composition. Clarinet was Alan’s main instrument, but he also performed on piano, vibraphone, saxophone and flute. In his years of experience as a professional musician, he earned the respect of his fellow musicians for his versatility and musicianship. He scored, arranged and directed musical productions, as well as writing and arranging for choral groups. He was also a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia national professional music fraternity and of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 5.

The WSU Band was where Alan met his wife of 72 years, June (nee Foster) who preceded him in death in November of 2020. After leaving college, he started a photo finishing business and made commercial photography, cinematography and videography his “day” job. He worked in the training film and video industry producing, directing and filming 100s of automotive training materials over a span of 50 years, working with production companies such as Jam Handy Corporation, Briggs Corporation, Regan Productions, and Sandy Corporation. Alan and June were honored to be invited to Germany to film the wedding of American Sunroof Corporation founder, Heinz Prechter.

Alan served as Director of Music at Mount Hope Lutheran Church in Allen Park, until moving with his family to Redford Twp. He then became Director of Music for many years at Grace Lutheran Church. On weekends, he often had a band “gig” with his fellow professional musicians and Alan still found time to be a loving husband and father, travel with his family, play golf, build beautiful cabinetry, hang wallpaper, upholster furniture and fix everything around the house. A true renaissance man.

Alan is survived by his daughters, Alana Meeker and Laurel Meeker, 8 nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

A private funeral will be held at Harry J. Will Funeral Home, with a joint Celebration of Life for Alan and June on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Grace Lutheran Church, 25630 Grand River Avenue, Redford Charter Twp., 48240. The service will be at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Memorials can be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Michigan Humane Society (MichiganHumane.org).