Duane Meinecke

Duane Donald “Don” Meinecke, 80, of Waco, passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2015. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 2, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Drive. Interment will follow at Waco Memorial Park. The family will receive visitors from 4 – 6:00 p.m., Friday, January 1, at the funeral home.

Don was born November 10, 1935 to Erwin and Mattie Meinecke in Dos Palos, California. His father, a WWII veteran, served in the USAF Reserve and was stationed in London, England. While in London Don finished school and joined the U.S. Navy in 1953. After his discharge in 1956, Don moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he met and married Dean Templin, a woman he worshipped for 58 years. They had three children together. Don transferred to Waco in 1968 and decided to live out his life here.

Don worked for many years as a truck driver known throughout the land as “Buffalo Hunter”. He retired as a shipping supervisor. Don was active with Karem Shrine for many years, and also served as a volunteer for Providence Hospital and other organizations.

Don is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Melba Dean Meinecke; and sister, Deronne Stefoniak.

Don is survived by his children, Mitch and wife Margaret, Mark and friend Lucretia Darden, DeeDe Laughlin; grandchildren, Laura and Leah Laughlin; greatgrandchildren, Torrey Wayland, Madison, Allison and Jozie Shaffer.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Scottish Rite or Robinson Church of Christ.