Industry veteran Wendell Meacham dies at 82

By | July 12, 2013

Wendell_MeachamWendell Meacham, 82, of Janesville, Iowa, and a long-time Waterloo (Iowa) Tent and Tarp employee, died Tuesday, July 9, at Sartori Memorial Hospital, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Meacham began his career at Waterloo in September, 1981 and worked there for 17 years before retiring in January, 1999. He worked part time off and on for a few years and remained a source of information afterwards.

Pete Downs, Waterloo, described Meacham as a long-time friend and “a true gentleman with a big heart and a tremendous work ethic. He along with Vern Reiter helped to create a foothold in the Outdoor Amusement Industry,” Downs said in an email to the industry about Meacham’s death. “The success of Waterloo Tent can be directly attributed to the efforts Wendell put forth during his tenure with Waterloo, and his companionship and guidance he shared during his retirement. He will be missed by those he touched,” he said. “Our condolences go out to the Meacham family, our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Meacham was born May 9, 1931 in Dawson, Iowa. He married Marilyn Bailey in 1951. She preceded him in death Jan. 6, 2004.

He is survived by two sons, Doug (Chris) Meacham of Cedar Falls and Scott Meacham of Janesville; three grandchildren, Nathan (Jorie Schutte) Meacham, Trevor (Karen) Meacham, and Abbi Millett; and one great grandchild, Dallis Meacham.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and one son, Devin Meacham.

Services for Meacham will be held Saturday July 13, at the Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home, with inurnment in Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens, both in Cedar Falls.

—Pam Sherborne