Jack Haessig Meister, 98, of Keokuk, IA died Thursday, October 7, 2021 at the Clark County Nursing Home in Kahoka, MO.
He was born May 28, 1923 in Keokuk, IA the son of George J. and Irene Haessig Meister. Jack graduated from Keokuk High School.
Jack was a veteran of the United States Army and proudly served from 1943-1945, Ninth Army Headquarters and was deployed in the ETO. One of the highlights of Jack’s army career was an occasion when the top three leaders of the WW II military command paid a visit to the 9thArmy Headquarters in Maastricht, Holland. The group consisted of General Eisenhower, Sir Winston Churchill, General Bernard Montgomery and several other top brass. Jack and several other men were in close proximity to the entourage as they entered the building and greeted the unofficial welcoming group. The previous day, Jack and a fellow map plotter were called up to the CO’s office to update a situations map that was used in a critique by the Eisenhower group. This was near the time of the “Battle of the Bulge” offensive. It was a memorable experience that Jack often recounted to be in the presence of these VIPs.
On July 13, 1946 Jack was united in marriage to Mae Lu Basye in Macomb, IL. She preceded him in death on March 11, 2020.
A lifelong resident of Keokuk, Jack operated his own electronics business for over forty years.
He was an active member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, serving on the consistory and other committees and was an ordained elder. He was also a member of the American Legion and a member of the Keokuk Elks Club, where he enjoyed playing golf. Jack was active in the Habitat For Humanity program where he supervised and did much of the electrical work in three habitat houses.
He is survived by two sons, Larry (Nancy) Meister of Evergreen, CO and John (Christie) Meister of Newport, OR, two daughters, Minda (John) VanAusdall and Mary (Rob Seltzer) Thomas all of Keokuk, six grandchildren, Brian (Jamie) Meister of Melbourne, FL, Josh (Sherry) Meister of Nayarit, Mexico, Lindsey Meister of Taneytown, MD, Mark (Tracy) Meister of Siletz, OR, Chase (Brianna) Meister of Lebanon, OR, Daniel (Jeannie) Svejda of Keokuk one step-grandson Brandon VanAusdall of O’Fallon, MO and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Jeoffrey Meister, one step-grandson, Clayton Daugherty, two brothers, Glenn C. Meister and Russell H. Meister, and one sister, Marjorie Meister in infancy.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the St. Paul United Church of Christ or the Salvation Army of Keokuk.
The Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk is assisting the family with arrangements
Online condolences may be sent to the family atwww.vigenmemorialhome.com
