Tim D Meeder

R. Tim Douglas Meeder

Dad always said, “You play the hand you’re dealt”. This was true in life and in cribbage.

Tim Meeder of Bellaire died peacefully April 27, 2025 at Autumn House in Williamsburg, Michigan. He was surrounded by his family and love.

Tim was always friendly, generous, loving and dedicated to his family. His children and his grandchildren were the most special people in his life and he was unendingly proud of them. He was the man that showed up to all the sporting events, the award ceremonies and celebrations for them, eyes gleaming with pride and love in their accomplishments.

Born to Ron and Helen (King) Meeder on June 28, 1941 in Lansing, Michigan. The family moved from Lansing to the Green River Ranch on the Jordan River in 1946, where his father started a sawmill. In 1947, the family moved to the farmhouse on M-88 Highway between Bellaire and Mancelona and established Meeder’s Lumber Company. Tim worked on the family farm, doing chores before heading to school in Mancelona, where he graduated in 1959. He knew the value of hard work, putting himself through college at Michigan State University; going to school until the money ran out and then getting a job to earn enough for the next semester. Tim learned to cut meat and worked at a Lansing steak house during the school year and then worked summers on Cape Cod.

Tim met his future wife, Bonnie, in 1965 while she was living in Traverse City for her RN Training. He had joined the Peace Corps earlier that year, so he headed to Hawaii to train for his assignment in the Philippines raising goats for two years. Tim realized Bonnie was his future and flew home in early 1966. They married in June 1966 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They returned to MSU together, living in married housing and welcomed their first daughter Andrea.

In 1968, Tim moved his growing family to Bellaire so he could join the family business at Meeder’s Lumber Company. Daughter Shannon was born that year, followed by son Mitch in 1971. Tim worked hard, becoming an honest and respected businessman, offering a “fair shake” to their employees and business partners, finally retiring as the Owner in 2009.

Tim was very involved in his community. He was a President of the Lions Club and “Sawdust” for their Minstrel Shows, member of the Bellaire School Board, Little League coach, parent chaperone for multiple trips and activities at the school and most importantly, he was generous with his time and his spirit. He sang with the Cherry Capital Chorus after retirement, but he always made time to fish.

Most people have a fishing memory that involves Dad; from a fly-in trip to Canada or on Wart Lake, a whitefish spearing story, going smelt dipping, in an ice shanty on Torch or on a boat “double-hitting” perch on Drummond Island. He was an avid fisherman and had connections with so many people to get “the fishing report” for the next chance to wet a line.

Tim and Bonnie together hosted many gatherings of friends and family and were known for their great dinner parties, playing cards/cribbage, Tim & Tom’s Fortieth Birthday Challenge, end of summer pool parties, trips to Wart Lake and great memories on Drummond Island. And there was always music, either singing along or whistling a tune.

His legacy survives with Andrea (Mike) Kandal of Traverse City, Shannon and granddaughter Francesca of Bellaire, Mitch (Shelly) Meeder and grandchildren Ian and Allison of Bellaire and sister MariAn (Ray) Huhn of St. Ignace. Tim was preceded in death by his wife Bonnie, his parents and his brother Terry.

A private memorial service will be held in the future. Tim supported the Michigan Sustainable Forestry Initiative, so please plant a tree in his honor; or because of Tim’s dedication to community, donations may be made to the Mancelona High School Softball Team by mailing a check to Mancelona Public Schools, 112 St. Johns Ave, Mancelona MI 49659.

Arrangements are in the care of the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook ww.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.