Gary John Meshek

Gary Meshek, age 78, of Coon Rapids passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids with Rev. Joyce Webb officiating.  Casket bearers will be Dwight Elm, Randy Albright, Todd Thorn, Steuart Cretsinger, Jim Schultes, and Rob Winger.  Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery near Coon Rapids.

Friends may call at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids from 5 - 7 P.M. on Friday evening.  The casket will be moved to the United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids at 9:30  A.M. on Saturday where visitation will resume until 10:15 A.M.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Gary was born on September 25, 1941 to Charles and Barbetha (Miller) Meshek in Carroll, IA.  His family moved to the home place south of Dedham, the place Gary continued to call home his entire life, when he was six months old.  Gary was the special pet of his grandfather, John Meshek, the local expert on threshing machine repair in the 1940’s, who taught him how to listen to machines and repair them.  Gary attended Viola Center School until it closed and he graduated from Audubon High School in 1959.  While in school, he developed a lifelong passion for music.  He  played saxophone in the Coon Rapids 4 ^th of July Community Band for many years and later in life enjoyed collecting and repairing antique musical instruments like the cylinder phonograph, player pianos, and victrola.  Gary also played with the Morrie Powers Dance Band.

After graduation, he joined his father in farming and also worked as a welder, well digger, carpenter, and handyman.  In 1963, Gary stopped by his brother’s veterinary clinic and met his vet tech, Doris Wolff.  After a brief courtship, they were married on November 23, 1963 in Urbandale, IA.  For the next fifty six years they farmed together and ran several small businesses including Gary’s Garage, Gary’s Better Auto Supply, Gary’s Antiques Store, Exira Automotive Parts, and multiple rental properties.

After retiring from the automotive businesses, he continued to farm with his son John and run Gary’s Antiques store with Doris.  He took great joy in working with animals, especially his cows and dogs.  He always said – “ if a man was lucky enough to have one good dog, he had lived a good life.”  Gary had several good dogs.

Gary is survived by his wife Doris of Coon Rapids; his children and their spouses: John and Rachel Meshek of Coon Rapids, IA, Melodi Meshek and Gary Turner of Alvin, TX; five grandchildren: Rebekah, Hannah, and Jacob Meshek of Coon Rapids and Ruth and Clara Turner of Alvin, TX; sisters-in-law Janice Meshek and Frances Wolff; his niece Karen Doyle; five great-nieces and their families; Rita Ortez and many other friends whom he considered his family.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Charles “Chick” and Barbetha Meshek; his brother Dr. C.C. Meshek; and his nephew David Meshek.