Wayne Howard Meeks, 85, went home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ surrounded by his family on Sunday November 29, 2009 at Meadowood Nursing Home in Grayville, IL. He was born on May 16, 1924 in Wayne County, IL. to Otis and Agnes (Parker) Meeks. He graduated from Oakland City College and married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Antoinette Kolb. Wayne was a teacher and coach in Illinois and later a Principal at Bellmont Elementary School until his retirement. He was a mentor and well respected by all who knew him. He loved to garden and share his abundance with family and friends.

He was a member of the New Life Church of the Nazarene in Princeton for over 50 years.
He also served in the U.S Air Force during WWII. He was a member of the Princeton VFW and the Mt. Carmel VFW.

Wayne is survived by his 4 children and their spouses, Victoria and James Reed of Mt. Carmel, IL, Jennifer and Thurman Patton of Keensburg, IL, Tom and LaVada Meeks of Mt. Carmel, IL, and Elizabeth "Tiz Ann" and Mike Stilwell of Princeton; 10 grandchildren, Jamie Kujawa, Tory Reed, Ashlie Sharp, Travis Hering, Natalie Morris, Josh Hering, Rhiannon Embrey, Clayton Meeks, Zeberiah Stilwell, Missy Wilkas; 20 great grandchildren; and a brother, Von Meeks.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elizabeth Antoinette Meeks in 2006; grandchild, Scott Sharp; great grandchildren, Victoria Kujawa and Austin Hering; and 3 brothers, Max, Edwin and Bobby Meeks.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday December 3, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton with the Rev. Bob Strain officiating. Burial will be at the Decker Cemetery in rural Patoka. Visitation will be from 3 until 8 P.M. on Wednesday at Colvin Funeral Home. VFW Post #1147 will provide full military rites at the cemetery.