John Meek
Aug. 1, 1940 – May 13, 2026
John Meek
John D. Meek, 85, passed away the evening of May 13, 2026, at home in the care of his family. John was born on Aug. 1, 1940, in Marshall, MI, to parents John and Juanita (Black) Meek. He grew up on Brace/Stuart Lake and was a graduate of Marshall High School before moving on to university. He received both his bachelors and masters degrees from Western Michigan University. He went on to complete his doctoral studies ABD at Ohio University.
On Jan. 28, 1963, John married Kati Reeder, the cherished love of his life. John and Kati moved numerous times as he pursued his education, and then with his work over the years. Upon moving from Alpena to Marshall a few years ago, they joined the Collaborative of St. Mary & St. John Parishes; John acted as a lector at St. John. His faith and his family were of utmost importance to him.
John had a passion for knowledge, and though he worked in various industries throughout his life, teaching was his calling. He spent his life learning and then passing that knowledge forward as a teacher for more than 30 years at various levels. He taught high school, college, and then also taught university-level courses as a civilian instructor aboard Navy ships. John loved to work with his hands and was a skilled wood craftsman, even building beautiful and ornate wooden sea kayaks when he and Kati lived on the bay in Alpena. He also built numerous musical instruments, and taught himself the art of inlaying to enhance the beauty of what he made. When he wasn’t working on larger projects, he could be found reading; he especially enjoyed literature and poetry. He also played numerous musical instruments, having mastered most of the woodwinds; he studied the keyboard, played the bagpipes and the Native American flute, and was proficient in several string instruments. John loved animals, and loved being outdoors; he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and being in the woods or near the water. He and Kati were long-time cyclists and enjoyed riding their tandem or single bicycles together. They lived in Alpena for over 30 years and adored their friends there. Both John’s family and his faith meant the world to him. He was also a member of, and built treasured friendships in, the Grand Traverse Pipes & Drums, the Kalamazoo Pipe Band, and Alpena’s ROMEO Club (Retired Old Men Eating Out Club).
John is preceded in death by his parents, Juanita Meek and John Meek.
John is survived by his wife of over 63 years, Mari Kate “Kati” Reeder Meek, his children, Nita Armstrong, John (Teresita) Meek of National City, CA, and his beloved extended West Coast family.
The family would like to thank in a special way Dr. Jamie Longhurst, and the team at Bronson Cancer Center.
A memorial mass will take place at Saint Mary’s Church in Marshall, Michigan, May 28, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Refreshments will be served following the service in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made out to St. Mary’s Church in Marshall, Michigan. Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services is honored to care for the Meek family in their time of need.