Frank Van Meeteren

Plain City Utah-Frank Van Meeteren passed away peacefully in his easy chair late in the evening on Oct. 17, 2019, a well- deserved ending to his mortal life of service to his family, his country, his church and his friends. Frank was born on June 6, 1925 in Ogden, Utah, the 12th of 14 children born to Dutch immigrants Karel Van Meeteren and Anna Wilhelmina Timmerman. Frank grew up in the depths of the great depression roaming Burch Creek Hollow and the surrounding hills while caddying at the Ogden Golf and Country Club. He attended Burch Creek School and graduated from Weber County High School in 1943. He was one of the "Greatest Generation" and joined the United States Navy in August of 1943 to serve his country in WWII. He sailed the world as part of the Naval Armed Guard defending Liberty ships and troop transports against German U-boats in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and Japanese Kamikaze attacks in the South Pacific. He ended his service as part of the Japanese Occupation aboard the U.S.S. Pasadena and was honorably discharged in March of 1946.
He worked at Utah Ice and Storage and a few years later, along with his younger brother Bill, ran a sheep and cattle ranch in the Lemhi Valley of Idaho for their sister Nellie after her husband Don passed away. He cherished his time there and told of his adventures over and over. He then worked at Swift's meat packing along with several of his brothers.
On May 7, 1954, he married a beautiful, sweet, red-headed girl form Plain City, Elma Jean Taylor. Days before their marriage he was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They soon settled in Plain City and from that union came 4 daughters and 2 sons: Brenda, Sherrie, Shellie, Russell, Hal, and Jeanie. Years later, in 1978, the whole family was sealed together in the Ogden Temple. A more loving environment could not have been provided for a family by Frank and Jean as they both worked hard and gave their all for us kids. He also worked at the Central Weber Water Treatment facility and Hill Air Force Base, retiring from there in 1990.
Frank loved the outdoors. After a week of hard work, every weekend from May to November was devoted to his family with fishing, hunting, and camping excursions, or hauling the kids and horses to Junior posse events. He spent weekends during duck season helping his father-in-law, Ralph Taylor manage the Ogden Duck Club. Deer camp on Lightning Ridge with his sons, brothers and sisters was the highlight of each year. He loved animals and over the years raised a menagerie of horses, sheep, cows, chickens, pigeons, dogs and cats. He had one of the best gardens in Plain City and was quick to share its bounty with family and friends.
Frank was a High Priest in the church and served as a dedicated home teacher and Assistant Scout Master.
Of all of the things he cherished in life, nothing gave him more pride and joy than to be surrounded by his grandchildren and great grandchildren on warm Sunday afternoons in the back yard. No amount of money in the world could replace the joy he found in simple family get-togethers.
Frank was the last living member of his nuclear family, preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Jakop, Steve, Henry, Carl, William, Bill, Ronnie and sisters Annie Smith, Jennie Thurgood, Katherine Lamond, Nellie Mcfarland, Caroline Scudder and Margaret Leaton.
He is survived by his wife Jean who lovingly attended to his every need, children Brenda Lund (Kraig) of Plain City, Sherrie Sparrow (Richard), of Farr West, Shellie Wayment (Mike), of Farr West, Russell (Jackie Cobaugh) of Plain City, Hal (Shelley George) of Plain City, and Jeanie Weicks (Christopher) of Plain City. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 26th at 11:00 A.M. at the Plain City 3rd Ward, 4575 W. 2125 No. Friends may call from 9:30 -10:45 preceding the service. Interment in the Plain City Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Myers Ogden Mortuary.