Gene Meeker

Gene Meeker, 87, went home to be with the Lord Friday June 14th, 2024, at UnityPoint- Trinity in Bettendorf, Iowa. The family would like to thank the 1st floor staff for their loving care towards their father and family. 

Raymond Eugene Meeker was born November 12, 1936, in Winfield, Iowa, the son of Lester and Opal (Conard) Meeker. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa and graduated from the US Chamber Institute for Organization Management at the University of Colorado. Gene and Nancy (Ibbotson), his high school sweetheart, were united in marriage on June 8th, 1957, in Winfield, Iowa, and recently celebrated their 67th anniversary. 

Faith and family were paramount. Gene was a godly man and actively served his church on the Board of Trustees, Pastor Parish Committee, and as Usher Captain. Gene instilled the importance of family in his children and grandchildren and rarely missed one of their events. He enjoyed golfing, the Iowa Hawkeyes, coffee with his friends each morning at McDonalds, time with family at the lake in Shawano, WI., as well as numerous family, and community gatherings. 

Gene’s gentle, calm demeanor made him the perfect man to raise five daughters which he felt was his greatest accomplishment. He preferred to stay behind the scenes, yet his presence was larger than life. Gene had the ability to make everyone around him feel special with his mindful listening and loving manner. People were naturally drawn to Gene, as he became a mentor to many. 

Gene’s passion for civic betterment and economic development led to 30+ years in Chamber of Commerce Executive Management. In 1993, he was hired as the Executive Director of the Downtown Davenport Development Corporation. He was elected to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association during his career. Gene also served as President of both the Iowa and Arizona Chamber of Commerce Executives. He retired from his position in 2006; however, Gene was not ready to enjoy retirement yet. He wanted to continue his work improving the community of Davenport, which he grew to love. He served 4 two-year terms as Alderman At Large on the Davenport City Council in 2007 at the age of 70. 

The professional accomplishments Gene was most proud of were the extension of Interstate 380 from Waterloo to Cedar Rapids, the Waterloo Convention Center previously known as ConWay Civic Center, Costco Wholesale, Modern Woodmen Park, and the beautification of downtown Davenport, including the flower baskets, planters, lighting and park benches to name a few. Upon his retirement Gene was recognized with an engraved stone at Bechtel Park in downtown Davenport by the Arsenal Bridge. In 2019, Gene received the Paul E. Hellwege “Guardian of Integrity” Award from Rotary District 6000 that recognizes individuals who promote the ideals of ethics and integrity. All who had the pleasure of knowing Gene, knew he exemplified these very attributes in his business interactions and personal life. 

Those left to honor his memory include his wife Nancy; daughters Cathy (Greg) Nelson of Bettendorf, Cindy (Ron Van Fleet) Sortillo of Davenport, Lisa (Mike) Lintz of Bettendorf, Joni Meeker of Shawano, WI, Jennifer (Dale) Carton of Sherrard, IL: grandchildren Kyle (Brooke) Schaetzle, Tanner, Dylan, and Kaley Sortillo, Morgan (Logan) Gill, Michael Lintz, Alec, Andrew, Ava and Aidan Van Drisse, DJ and Rylan Carton, and several bonus grandchildren; great grandson Robert Schaetzle and his sister Gwyn McCreight of Winfield, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Marilyn Owens. 

Funeral Services celebrating the life of Gene Meeker, of Davenport will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday June 25, 2024, at St John United Methodist Church. The rite of cremation will follow. 

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday, June 24th, 2024, at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, as well as on Tuesday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of services. 

Memorials may be made to American Parkinson Disease Association at P.O. Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306 or Rotary Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 2483, Davenport, IA 52809. 

Online remembrances may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.