Clinton F. Meech

STAPLES -- Clinton F. Meech, 81, Staples, died Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, at Greater Staples Care Center.

He was born May 16, 1921, in Wadena to Frank and Grace (Wintermute) Meech. He married Doris Elifrits on June 27, 1942. She died July 7, 1984. He worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad as a switchman in Staples until retiring in 1986.

Survivors include seven sons, Roger Meech, Apple Valley, Richard Meech, Arizona, Scott, Joel, Rodney and Jeffrey Meech, all of Staples, and Timothy Meech, Pillager; four daughters, Laura Beech, Motley, Sharon Beach, Elk River, Susan Smith, Aberdeen, S.D., and Colleen Meyer, Long Prairie; 33 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Vernon Meech, Afton, Harold Meech, Inver Grove Heights, and Ivan Meech, Minneapolis; and two sisters, Cloy Bowers, Brainerd, and Myra Charmley, Alaska.

His wife; two sons, Terry and Jody; a grandchild; a brother, Wendell; and three sisters, Crystal Eierman, Vera Neilsen and Joy Pedersen, died earlier.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Church of Christ in Staples with the Rev. Barry Klein officiating. Burial will be in Wadena Cemetery at a later date.

Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Friday at Bielema Family Funeral Home in Verndale and an hour before services Saturday at the church.