Jake Meeker, a 2004 graduate of Brandon Valley High School and a proud member of the Brandon Valley High School Band, died Monday, July 7, 2008, of injuries sustained in an auto accident near Valley Springs.  Jake was 22.  Services were at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at Hilltop United Methodist Church, Sioux Falls.

Jake was buried at Pleasant View Cemetery, Valley Springs.

Jacob Robert “Jake” Meeker, son of Robert and Tami (Heitke) Meeker, was born March 28, 1986 in Casper, WY.  As an infant he moved with his family to Valley Springs, SD and grew up there.  In 2004, Jake graduated from Brandon Valley High School, where he was a proud member of the Brandon Valley Marching Lynx.  Prior to graduation, he began work at Brandon True Value Hardware and was currently employed there.

Jake was a member of Hilltop United Methodist Church.  He enjoyed fixing things, especially cars, motorcycles and bicycles.  One of Jake’s finest accomplishments was earning his Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America.  His Eagle Scout project involved doing the landscaping and tree planting at the Brandon Veteran’s Memorial.

Jake was a gentle soul with an easy smile.  He made friends easily and counted people from all walks of life as his friends.  Jake will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.

Grateful for having shared his life are his parents, Robert and Tami Meeker, Valley Springs, SD; his sister, Jill Van Voorst and her husband, Jason, Valley Springs, SD; his niece and nephew, Kate and Owen Van Voorst, Valley Springs, SD; his grandparents, Dale and Fran Meeker, Eldora, IA, Marge and Jim Hartmann, Paynesville, MN; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Jake was preceded in death by his grandfather, James Heitke.

In lieu of flowers, Jake’s family requests that donations be directed to the Brandon Valley High School Marching Lynx.

FUNERAL SERVICE
Held at 11:00 AM Thursday, July 10, 2008
Hilltop United Methodist Church, Sioux Falls, SD
Reverend Dan Freed, Officiating
Doreen Anglin, Organist
Congregational Hymns
“Hymn of Promise”
“On Eagle’s Wings”
Special Music
“What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong

INTERMENT
Pleasant View Cemetery, Valley Springs, SD

PALLBEARERS
Austin Letcher  ~  Bobby Linton  ~  Nick Walker
Aaron Haberman  ~  Calen Schumacher  ~  Bob O'Fallon