Graydon Meints

Meints, Graydon M. 9/24/1933 - 4/12/2022 Kalamazoo Graydon was born Sept 24, 1933 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He passed away in Mesa, Arizona on April 12, 2022. He was preceded in death by his father, Dewey Meints (1980) and mother, Bertha Reitenga (2004), both of Kalamazoo, MI. He was the devoted husband of Gerlinde Meints; the loving father of Cynthia Meints of Cincinnati, Ohio and Richard Meints (Karen Meints) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; wise grandfather of Alexander, Maximillian, and Elise; and the older brother of Lorna Wolterink, Ardath Dawes, and Mardell Terpstra. Graydon graduated from State High School and Calvin College where he earned a BA in English. After College he went to work for the New York Central Railroad. Drafted into the Army in 1956, he served two years in a counter-intelligence unit in Japan. After being discharged he returned to work for the NYC. In 1962 Graydon went to work for Fidelity Federal S&L, eventually retiring in 1996 as VP of Savings operations. He married Gerlinde Wagg in Sturgis, Michigan on August 10th, 1963. His lifelong love of history led him to be President of the Kalamazoo County Historical Society for 8 years and a Trustee of the Historical Society of Michigan for 4 years. After he retired Graydon spent much of his time as a researcher and author of railroad history, ultimately writing 12 books along with numerous articles published in a variety of periodicals. A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 11:00 am at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services 3926 S 9th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Frederick Meijer Gardens or the American Cancer Society in his memory. To leave an online condolence, please visit https://www.langelands.com