grave import

Obituary

Samantha "Mathy" Edwina (Hirstein) Meeker, 94, of Burlington, died at 2:50 am Friday, November 23, 2012, at the Great River Medical Center - Klein Center in Burlington. She was born June 26, 1918, the eleventh of thirteen children of Edward and Mary Gerber Hirstein, of Bremen, Indiana, later of Morton, Illinois. She married Harley Meeker of Green Valley, Illinois, in Morton, on December 10, 1937. After leaving Illinois, they farmed between Kingston and Meeker's Landing in northeastern Des Moines County, Iowa, from 1944 to 1974. Then from 1974 to 1976 they farmed south of Stronghurst, in southern Henderson County, Illinois. They lived in Columbus Junction, Iowa, from 1976 to 1992. During most of these years she also worked in laundry and restaurant businesses in the Burlington area. After her husband's death in 1992, she moved to Burlington where she has lived ever since. She enjoyed her many family and friends, cooking, and bingo. She was of the Apostolic Christian faith. Survivors include her two sons, Fred Meeker of Burlington, and Edwin Meeker of Carman, IL; one grandson, Jack Edwin Meeker; one great-granddaughter Ashton Leigh Meeker; one brother, Samuel Hirstein of Morton; one sister, Ann Rupprecht of Morton; numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Janet Sue Meeker, and all ten of her older brothers and sisters. Visitation will be from 8:00 AM until 1:30 PM Monday, November 26, 2012, at Thielen Funeral Home. The family will receive friends and a complimentary lunch will be served from noon until 1:30 PM, Monday November 26, 2012, at Thielen Funeral Home. The funeral service for Mrs. Meeker will be 1:30 PM , Monday, November 26, 2012, at Thielen Funeral Home with Apostolic Christian Ministers officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Great River Medical Center Home Health Care..