Russell "Russ" Meek

On Sunday May 10, 2020 at 8:22 am Russell “Russ” D. Meek was surrounded by his family when he passed from this life at the age of 45 and entered Heaven’s gates; where he received the gift of eternal life in a  new body free of pain and suffering, a gift he accepted in his faith of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Russ was born on April 23, 1975 at 8:20 am in Independence, Kansas to Ronald Devore and Cindy (Heuermann) Meek.  His parents later divorced, and Cindy married Roger (Rocky) A. Meek who adopted Russ.  They too divorced.  Rocky later married his wife, Debbie. Russ attended grade school at Dearing Elementary and Salina Grade School, Jr. High at St. John’s Military School in Salina, Kansas, then completed his education at Field Kindley Memorial High School in Coffeyville.

Russ and his wife Jennifer (Isle) were just one day short of celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary together.  May 11, 1996, they started their life as a family. Together they made their home North of Coffeyville raising their boys, Lane and Jake.  They quickly realized they needed a little girl in their life which is how they got involved as foster parents, having over 57 children in their home over a 10-year period. They were blessed with Jaycee and Harley forever by adoption.  Being a foster parent gave Russ an additional sense of purpose of providing a home to children who needed a safe and secure place to live.  When the phone call came in for a placement Russ always told Jennifer whatever you think. Even if Russ didn’t feel well, he made the efforts to make that child feel comfortable and loved.

Russ worked at Coffeyville Stockyards, Acme Foundry, Heartland Cement Plant and Spears Manufacturing for a short time before becoming a machine operator on line 1 at AIW (South Wire) for 7 years until he had to stop to have brain surgery to control his seizures, he then worked at Cook Pump with Jennifer where he learned to be a machinist.  Russ and his wife Jennifer then started their own business, Genuine Jacks Manufacturing and he was the shop supervisor before they sold out after owning it for 11 years.  Russ then was self-employed working on his farm raising cattle and doing welding jobs. He continued to do his best even as health declined.

Hard worker, perfectionist, gentle spirit, loving husband, father and friend are just a few adjectives that describe Russ.  Though life has been challenging throughout Russ’s entire lifetime he found ways to overcome limitations.  Russ built the pipe fence that surrounds the family farm along with the corral, cattle guard, wood splitter, their mailbox and the flagpole in the front yard.  He enjoyed working on his 65 Ford truck, Chevy’s were not acceptable!  The Isle family converted him from being a John Deere tractor guy to the world of Red-International Harvesters his new tractor of choice.   Russ kept a pristine shop, every tool was in its place, floors swept and so well organized and stocked that his father-in-law referred to it as Orschelns. He didn’t loan his stuff out much, but if he did you had to have a permit to check it out! Russ enjoyed watching UFC fights and would often have a group of guys over to join in on the excitement.  Russ’ best friend was Jax an 11-year-old boxer that provided lots of comfort and companionship to him often seen in the passenger seat of his truck or walking thru Country Mart looking for him. Russ enjoyed being at home and preferred to eat at home with food prepared by his family, he was easy to please with meat and potatoes. Mexican was his least favorite food.

Just under 2 years ago Russ was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.  Russ and his family weren’t strangers to health issues, but this presented a whole different world to the Meek family.  In addition to his current doctors’ appointments and medications’ Russ would need help with basic daily needs after chemo treatments and added doctors’ visits.  This required Jennifer to take off work and financial hardships followed.  God has provided a way for them as a family to sustain.  The family would appreciate any contributions be made payable to The Meek Family to help with ongoing expenses that are continuing to accumulate; or to the Dearing Christian Church in Russ’ memory.  Contributions may be left in care of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel.

Russ leaves behind his wife, Jennifer of the home; children, Jaycee and her husband Chase Brake, Lane Meek and his wife Kim, Jake Meek and his girlfriend, Madeline Murdock, and Harley Meek; a grandson that he adored, Michael Dean Meek; his father and step-mother, Rocky and Debbie Meek, his mother, Cynthia Meek; father and mother-in-law, Mike and Jana Isle; grandparents, Keith and Norma Heuermann, Norma Robinson and Mary Isle; siblings, Troy Meek and wife Salina, Angela and her husband Dennis Lushbough, Chris Main and his wife Stacy, Troy Main and his wife Shannon, Tina and her husband Jeremy Romines, Samantha and her husband Chad McQuillen, Brandi DeVore, Amanda and her husband Taylor Garnett; sister and brother-in-law, Jared and Jami Vineyard; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, extended family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lloyd and Betty Meek (who he will be layed at rest next to), and brother-in-law, Chris Isle.

Due to the continued restrictions of public gathering of no more than 10, Graveside Services only will be held on Thursday, May 14 at 1 pm in Robbins Cemetery. Please join us at 1 pm on Ford-Wulf-Bruns Facebook page to watch the service live.  Pastor Jamie Regis will be officiating. Friends may sign the register on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, KS from Noon to 5 pm.  The family will receive friends at a drive by visitation from 6 to 8 pm behind the Chapel under the carport.  Friends are encouraged to leave a message of condolence or simply your name at https://www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com/obituary/RussellRuss-Meek under the tribute wall.