Glenn Arthur Meeter

May 4, 1934, Hammond, Indiana – March 20, 2025, DeKalb, Illinois

Dr. Glenn Meeter died peacefully in DeKalb, Illinois, on March 20, 2025. Dr. Meeter was educated in Christian schools in Munster, Indiana; at Lutheran High School in Racine, Wisconsin; at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He received his PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop.

While attending Calvin College, Glenn met Marlene Meyerink, and they married in 1955. Dr. Meeter taught English at Illiana Christian High School in Lansing, Illinois, and English and Creative Writing at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, from 1964-1969. Then he and his family moved to DeKalb, Illinois, where he taught English and Creative Writing from 1969-1999 at Northern Illinois University. He served as Chair of the English Department for seven years, where his colleagues appreciated his wise diplomacy.

Dr. Meeter published a novel, Letters to Barbara, in 1981. He also published fifteen short stories in national publications (including The Atlantic and Redbook), twelve of which were republished in his collection, Stories of Four Decades. In addition, he published numerous articles, essays, and academic papers.

As an active 50-year member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in DeKalb, Illinois, Glenn sang in the church choir, served as a moderator, and was a member and chair of several boards and committees. He enjoyed singing with the DeKalb Festival Chorus, volunteering as a creative writing teacher, and being active in the outdoors, where he could be found biking, hiking, canoeing, and cross-country skiing. He was especially proud of his participation in the Birkebeiner, a 50-kilometer ski race in northern Wisconsin.

Glenn was a devoted husband to Marlene; they were married nearly 70 years. He was a wise and generous father to his four children, teaching them with insightful stories, a gentle sense of humor, and time spent together.

Preceding Glenn in death were his parents, Arther and Joan Meeter, and his sister Andrea Dekker.

His is survived by his wife, Marlene Meeter; children Barbara Cox, Nancy (Ron) Owens, Joel (Carole) Meeter, Alison (David) Maki; grandchildren Tressa (Victor) Ruvalcaba, Alyssa Cox, Nicole (Phil) McCarn, Naomi (Chris) Sammarone, Lucas Maki, Clara Maki, Nathan Meeter; and great grandchild Amelia Ruvalcaba. Glenn is also survived by two brothers, Duane (Marge) Meeter and Jon (Barbara White) Meeter, as well as a sister Susan (Barbara Cook) Meeter.

A service of celebration will be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 615 N First St. DeKalb, at 11:00am on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Burial will take place immediately following the service at Oakwood Cemetery and reception to follow. Those who wish to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to consider the First Congregational United Church of Christ in DeKalb and The Glenn and Marlene Meeter Professional Development Fund for English through the NIU Foundation. Cremation rites and arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.