Dieter Meister

MEISTER Dieter Meister of Dolton, IL passed away at Ingalls Hospital in Harvey, IL on January 1, 2007 after a lengthy battle with a very rare type of cancer " Merkel Cell carcinoma. He was born in Ploehnen, Germany on September 23, 1943. His parents and he came to Gallatin, Tennessee from July to November 1955 where they were indentured servants to the Stilzt family. At this time, the family moved to Chicago, IL where they lived with relatives until they moved to Dolton, IL in 1959. He is one of the longest members of Lorimer Baptist Church where he was active until his illness. After Graduating from Thornridge High School, Thornton Community College and the University of Illinois(Masters +) , he began a 39 year career in teaching, with 35 years spent at Morton Senior High in Hammond, IN. Herr Meister was a highly dedicated and very popular German teacher who sincerely loved his students and enjoyed several trips to Germany with them. His career ended with his retirement in the summer of 2006. Several distant relatives survive him: Ingrid(Anthony) Pengetti of Bensonville, IL; Arthur(Kathy) Jadischke of Ontario, Canada; Heinz(Elaine) Jadischke of Middlebury Heights, Ohio; Astrid(Jerry) Nolan of Spring Hill, Florida; Arthur Netzel of Schamburg, IL; and Eric Stuermer of Chicago Heights, IL. In addition, there are relatives in Germany and a long list of many dear and loving friends who survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents: Hermann and Natalie Meister. Dieter loved photography, traveling, volunteering at church and the special times spent with family and friends. He will be greatly missed by many people. Visitation will be Friday, January 5, 2007 from 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Smits, DeYoung-Vroegh Funeral Home, 649 E. 162nd. St.(Rt.6/159th St.) South Holland, IL. Funeral Service, Saturday, January 6, 2007 at Lorimer Baptist Church, 14801 Lincoln Ave., Dolton, IL with services conducted by Rev. Daniel Gute. Interment, Oakland Memory Lanes, Dolton, IL. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society (Merkel Cell Research). For Further Information 708-333-7000 or www.smitsfuneralhomes.com