Rev. August William Meacham
Died: November 19, 2010 | Place: Parkwood Hospital
Obituary
MEACHAM, Reverend August William MM, BA, BD
Peacefully at Parkwood Hospital, London on Friday, November 19, 2010 Reverend August “Augie” W. Meacham of London in his 89th year. Beloved husband of Geraldine E. (Monk) Meacham for 61 years. Dearly loved father of Mary Candace Herold of Windsor and John Alexander Meacham and his wife Shelia of Orlando, Fla. Loving grandpa of Ian Herold, Toronto, Anna Ahenakew and her husband Larry of Calgary, Owen Herold, Windsor and Emily Meacham, Orlando, Gracie and Jim Michels, Rebecca and Michael Taylor, Melissa and Brett Alderman, all of Indianapolis. Great grandfather of August Ahenakew, Madison and Isabelle Alderman, Jackson Taylor and Henry Michels. Dear brother of Homer Meacham and his wife Margaret of Drumbo and Frances Bethune and her husband Jim of Paris, ON. Brother-in-law to Lucille West of Waterloo and Rosemond Limebeer of Brampton. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his sister Leone Brown and brothers-in-law Walter Brown and Ernie West. Augie was born August 7, 1922 on the family farm near Princeton, ON, son of the late William Meacham and the late Florence (Crumback) Meacham. He served in World War II from 1942-1946 as a signaller with the Cape Breton Highlanders and received the Military Medal for bravery while in Italy. After graduation from Victoria College and Emmanuel College in Toronto Augie was ordained into the ministry of the United Church of Canada in 1953 serving on pastoral charges of Wawa, Thamesford, Blenheim, and Bryanston and as Personnel Officer for the London Conference for 15 years. August took a leadership role in the courts of the church, serving 2 years as President of London Conference and on the executives and committees of Oxford, Kent and Middlesex presbyteries as well as on national committees. His commitment to enabling people to grow in their faith was expecially evident in his skillful leadership of Bible study and discussion groups which he did with sensitivity and humor. Retirement activities included following the Blue Jays and Maple Leafs, bird watching, gardening, times spent at his beloved cottage on Lake Huron and attending church meetings. The family acknowledges with deep gratitude the compassionate and loving care Augie received from Dr. Steer and the staffs of 4BS and 5BS during his 7 years in Veterans Care at Parkwood Hospital. Friends will be received by the family on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral service will be held at First-St. Andrew’s United Church, 350 Queens Avenue (at Waterloo), London on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 11:00 am with Reverend Dr. Susan Shelstad officiating. Interment in Springford Cemetery, Springford ON at 3:00 pm. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the St. Jospeh’s Health Care Foundation, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, ON N6A 4V2 (Parkwood Hospital Veteran’s Care) or the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada, 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300, Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4 or the charity of choice would be appreciated. Online condolences at www.amgfh.com
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I am grateful beyond words for Augie’s ministry in my life and in the life of the church. His creativity, his grace, his smile, his understanding, and his teaching will not be forgotten. My heartfelt sympathies to Gerry and family.
I have fond memories of Rev. Meacham as a teacher in the Middlesex Presbytery Lay Preacher’s Course. His wisdom, experience, kindness, humourous and thoughtful reflections were golden to the budding theologians that we were. God’s blessings to the family of this good and faithful servant.
My prayers are with all of Augie’s family at this time. I remember with sincere thanks the guidance Augie gave me in the mid 80’s when I was a member of his lay preacher course for Middlesex Presbytery. He taught with such knowledge, insight and compassion and gave me confidence in my ability to serve the church. God bless you all.
Katy Gray
Dear Gerry and Family,
I greatly admired and respected Augie in every way, and so enjoyed working with him. In fondness, I remember his caring and compassion, his encouraging ways, his unending patience and humility, his sense of humour and huge laugh.
His in-depth thinking always challenged the participants in our workshops. Augie was an inspiration to all – a spiritually-driven gentleman truly called to the ministry, and held in high esteem in the courts of the United Church of Canada.
Please know my caring thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Norma
Gerry and family:
I am sorry that my wife and I cannot be with you at this time.
Please know that we are thinking of you and hold so many special memories. Like the time you lent us your cottage when our son was so ill, just so we could have a bit of quiet time. Augie was a great minister’s minister and his kind presence is much missed.
Peace and love to you all.
Matthew & Carol Penny
With Sympathy to Geraldine & Family
I was reading the poem “Star-Giving” that you sent to me at Christmas 5 years ago and the words reminded me of the two of you. You and August surely did “Pass on the love that had been given to you”. The many good talks that we shared together will never be forgotten. His “light” will continue to shine in everyones heart that he met in his many journeys.
Love Irene Fryer
My deepest condolences. I am eternally grateful for the kindness shown my father since my mother died almost ten years ago. Rev. Meacham is greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Bill Chalmers
Sugar Land, TX
John and family
So sorry to hear about your loss. Your family/father was truly respected in Blenheim and missed after you left.
My Deepest sympathy
Our deepest condolences to Mrs. M, John, Sheila and all the family.
The few times there were at the lake in the summer over the years to speak with August has always stayed etched in my mind. It was easy feel, he was a man who truly inspired many. God Bless
Dave Sweitzer & Jo-Anne Bennett
Dear Geraldine & Family
Our thoughts and Prayers are with you at this very sad time.
God Bless You.
Love Louise & Len Dickson
Gerry – one of the last events I attended with Augie involved a meditative labyrinth walk. I found myself walking behind Augie and discovered it was easier to stay in a meditative state by just following him rather than paying attention to the labyrinth markings on the floor. As a result part of my meditation was about walking in Augie’s footsteps. I reflected on the many, many Bible study, prayer classes, and dream groups that Augie lead that I attended over the years. I was and remain grateful for all the lesions in spirituality he taught me.
Love
David Pederson
It was my pleasure to know Augie throughout my ministry. He ran a wonderful workshop in Algoma my first year in ministry, on St. Joseph’s Island, and his stories encouraged me to look around the island and buy property that fall (1977) which I still own today. He was an encouraging presence and wonderful teacher. Blessings to the family – sorry I was not able to get to London for the visitation or service.
Sincerely,
(The Rev. Dr.) Bill Steadman
Interim Executive Secretary, Bay of Quinte Conference
Dear Geraldine
You really do not know me, but, I am the granddaughter of Floyd & Ruby Smith and my mother was Eleanore Smith and she mentioned your name often. I would like to offer my sincere condolences on the passing of August William Meacham.
Sincerely,
Marna-Rae Allingham Walters