MENDOTA - Robert E. Meinhardt, 89, of Mendota passed away Nov. 7, 2019 at Alden Poplar Creek Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Hoffman Estates surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mendota with Rev. Steve Mindrup officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota with military honors by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

Bob was born Nov. 14, 1929 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Orris and Madge (Surrena) Meinhardt. He married Karoline (Hanson) on Feb. 4, 1955 in Pipestone, Minn. She preceded him in death in 1994.

Survivors include one son, Tom (Ruth) Meinhardt of Mendota; two daughters, Nancy (Bill) Mathieu of Amboy and Kristine (Del) Woodhouse of Hoffman Estates; seven grandchildren, Jason (Nicole) Meinhardt of Sterling, Kimberly Meinhardt of Brooklyn, N.Y., Timothy Meinhardt (fiancée Kelsey Quick) of West Brooklyn, Cora Mathieu of Mendota, Michael (Holly) Mathieu of Troy Grove, Matthew Woodhouse of Haslet, Mich. and Rachel Woodhouse of Columbia, Mo.; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father in 1961; his mother in 1974; his wife; one sister, Lois Dunley in 2008; and two step-sisters, Lavonia Allsup in 1937 and Vera Stout in 1998.

Bob grew up on a farm in Iowa. After high school graduation he joined the military, serving with the U.S. Army at the end of World War II in the military tribunal and also served during the Korean War. He was awarded three bronze stars for meritorious service. He then attended South Dakota State University where he met his wife and graduated with a degree in agri science. The couple moved to Dixon after their marriage and in 1962, he moved his family to Mendota at which time they bought Henkel Grain Company. After a few years, he founded his own seed business known as Henkel Seeds and continued his lifetime love of farming and the seed business in the area. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where he was a church council member. He served on the Mendota school board, was a lifelong member of the Mendota Elks Lodge, was a member of the Free Masons Society and also of many agriculture related organizations.

Memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church or the Illinois Alzheimer’s Association.