Joanne Meeves

Joanne Arlene (Cooper) Meeves was born on August 14, 1935, in Castana, Iowa, the daughter of Elzie and Thelma (Benson) Cooper. She passed away peacefully at home on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the age of 90.

Joanne received her elementary education at Castana Public School and completed her junior and senior high school years at Charter Oak Public School, graduating with the Class of 1953.

On February 20, 1955, Joanne was united in marriage to Robert L. Meeves of rural Dunlap at the United Methodist Church in Charter Oak. Together they made their home on a farm near Dunlap for 58 years and were blessed with five children: Bruce, Robert (“Bobby”), Henry (“Jerry”), Karen, and Michael.

When Robert became a resident of the Dunlap Care Center, Joanne moved to Dunlap to remain close to him and visit him daily. Robert passed away on January 13, 2013. Joanne continued living in Dunlap until recently, spending her final days at the home of her son Michael and his wife Shelly, who lovingly cared for her.

Joanne was a devoted member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Charter Oak for more than 50 years. After relocating to Dunlap, she joined St. John Lutheran Church there, where she remained an active member. She participated faithfully in church life, serving in various council and ladies’ group roles, and was also active in volunteer efforts connected with the Dunlap Care Center. Joanne recently returned to membership at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Charter Oak.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Elzie and Thelma Cooper; her husband, Robert; two brothers, Robert (“Bob”) and Richard and his wife Jeanette; one sister, Carolyn and her husband Jim; and her brother-in-law, Harvey.

She is survived by her children: Bruce Meeves and his wife Denise of Forest Grove, Oregon; Bobby Meeves of Dunlap; Jerry Meeves of Dunlap; Michael Meeves and his wife Shelly of Charter Oak; and Karen Richardson and her husband Mark of Omaha, Nebraska. She is also survived by ten grandchildren—Mandy, Sierra, Erin, Briana, Ryan, Tyler, Kimarie, Ashlyn, McKenna, and Ruby—and nine great-grandchildren: Mark, Julissa, Aubrey, Allison, Brendan, Christian, Kaylee, Kyson, and Cody. Additional survivors include her brother, Ron, and his wife Judy of Centennial, Colorado; sisters-in-law Joyce of Mount Ayr, Iowa, and Gisela of Dunlap; as well as many extended relatives and friends.

Joanne will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her strong faith, and her lifelong spirit of care and service.

Visitation with family and friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the Huebner Funeral Home in Charter Oak. Her funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak. Her burial in Crawford Heights Memory Gardens will follow her funeral service. Memorials may be directed to St. John Lutheran Church.