On a Yooper transplant and SJ legend, and Farmer Pete’s Wife

He may not have been a true "native son," but Fred Meyer certainly can claim that title – and no one in this community would question allowing the "Yooper" into the St. Johns fold.

Fred, who passed away Aug. 30 with his beloved family by his bedside, leaves a legacy of service that anyone would do well to emulate. A worthy recipient of the Bill Patton Award in 1997 – along with his equally deserving wife, Mary – Fred was actively involved in a wide range of civic and community activities and organizations many of which revolved around the cornerstones of his world: faith and family.

Anyone who knew Fred – and that takes into account a whole lot of people – understood that the "Meyer girls" were the apple of their dad’s eye. That same love was evident when the eight daughters had children, and grandchildren, of their own. Fred was never boastful, but he was clearly proud of their many accomplishments.

A trip downtown to the Treasure Chest that he and Mary owned and operated for many years almost always included a conversation about "the girls" – and about his most favorite leisure activity, golf.

"I sure would like to be out there (on the course) right now – great weather today, " Fred would say, looking wistfully out the big window of the store on Clinton Avenue. No doubt, that desire to hit the links was fulfilled more often than not before the day was over.

While he touched the lives of many people who frequented the store, without a doubt Fred’s most lasting achievement was the creation of the St. Johns Sea Lions and the many, many years he spent developing the swimming skills of local youth. He volunteered countless hours as a coach and record keeper for the organization that has been a positive influence for thousands of area youth.

Like Frank P. Buck and Earl Lancaster before him – for whom the high school football field and gymnasium are named – Fred Meyer Natatorium is an absolutely fitting tribute to the man who helped put St. Johns on the "swimming map."

Perhaps some of that community spirit is an offshoot of the military service that helped shape Fred’s life as a young man. After enlisting in the US Army Air Corps in February 1943, he served in England as a Captain in the 8th Air Force 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squad. He saw duty in a number of campaigns in the European Theater during World War II – a life-altering time period, to be sure.

With the help of family and friends – and a boost from the Grand Ledge Volunteer Mercy Pilots organization – Fred was able to visit the National World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. That June 25 trip this year was the realization of a dream for the veteran pilot.

No doubt, Fred is flying high now – looking over the community he served so well and "the girls" he loved so dearly.

Soar like an eagle, Fred.

A complete obituary appears in this issue.

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It is also important to note this week the passing of another inspirational Clinton County resident. AnaBel Peck, better known as "Farmer Pete’s Wife," died Aug. 27. What Fred is to St. Johns, AnaBel is to Elsie – well-known and beloved servants of their communities.

I remember well leafing quickly through the pages of the Michigan Farmer magazine when I was a young girl growing up on our Riley Township farm, looking for AnaBel’s witty writing as Farmer Pete’s Wife. In a way, I suppose, she unknowingly helped instill a love for writing that exists to this day – certainly, my style is not as clever as AnaBel’s, but it is a "style" nonetheless. That’s something she appreciated.

I had the good fortune of talking with AnaBel on various occasions in ensuing years while I worked for various publications. She was always ready and willing to talk – not about herself, but, like Fred, about the young people that she loved so much. In her case, that meant 4-H youth.

She began the Elsie 4-Corners 4-H Club in 1946, and was still going strong when I interviewed her 47 years later after she was selected as Grand Marshal for the 1993 Elsie Dairy Festival parade. A copy of the article that originally appeared in The Meridian Weekly is reprinted in this issue.

If Fred is flying high right now, AnaBel is surely in God’s Garden checking on the flowers and vegetables.