Russell J. Meeuwsen Jr.
October 30, 1934 – February 17, 2019
Cremation will take place and a family memorial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, c/o the funeral home.
Obituary
Age 84, passed away on Sunday, February 17, 2019. He was born in Grand Rapids, MI, the son of the late Russell and Mary (Nykerk) Meeuwsen Sr. He graduated from Ottawa High School, Class of 1952, and received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. Russ served our country with honor in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Germany as a Medic. Russ had a great personality and was a joy to know. He owned and operated his own Property Management Company for several years. When not working, he enjoyed fishing, playing golf, traveling and spending time at his home on Croton Pond. He was a member of the Kalamazoo Elks Club for more than 50 years. Above all Russ loved his family and leaves them with fond memories to cherish. He will be missed by all who loved him. On July 14, 1975, he married Pat Meeuwsen who survives. He is also survived by four children, Todd Meeuwsen, Lynn (Harry) Matthews, Tony Nieboer and Tim (Stephania) Nieboer; nine grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Jody Read and sister, Mary Erickson.
I first met my Uncle Russ when I was about 8 years old and he had just began dating my beautiful Aunt Pat. They picked up my brother and I to take us to dinner and I only remember that he was SO fun! He was a man who loved big and loved to make others happy! What a joy to have known him, I will always remember him with a big smile.
I am so fortunate to have known Russ for the last 20 years. He was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor — and always had a story to tell. He would always share his fondness of the “Croton Pond” home and based on his “Croton” experiences, you could easily determine it was his “heaven on earth”! God Bless you Russ! I will think of you every October 30th, when I have lunch on my birthday, as we shared this special lunch time together often!