Meredith Allyn Weltmer

Meredith - Livestream

Meredith Weltmer was the son of Violet Romain (Moody) Weltmer and Herbert Charles Weltmer.

He is survived by his wife, Mary-Jane (McCall) Weltmer; sister, Mary Iola Weltmer; daughter, Shawrene (Weltmer) Rance; son-in-law, Gregory Rance; son, Shayne Weltmer; daughter-in-law, Bethanne (Sheldon) Weltmer; and grandchildren, Christopher, Joy, Abigail, Ceili, Jocelyn, Benjamin, and Zoe Weltmer.

Meredith was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina and his family moved to Tucson, Arizona when he was young. He was an excellent speller and won several spelling bees while in elementary school. In high school, he was on the track and field team and did some photography. He spent several summers in a lookout tower with the US Forest Service in Arizona and in Idaho after high school.

Meredith loved learning and reading. He was conferred the degree Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Arizona. He was active in the agriculture and photography clubs. He endeared himself to the study of fire and watershed management, forestry, and wildlife management, taking courses throughout his life to hone his skills. He added Emergency Medical Technician to his career. He said, "It is important to always be learning because then you gain a large body of knowledge."

His time at the University was interrupted when he enlisted with the US Navy and was stationed at the Naval Station, San Diego, California. There he met his soon-to-be bride Mary-Jane, when a navy buddy introduced them. He always said, "She is my angel and my life, and I love her immensely!" They were married in 1970. They had an incredible love story, and it was lived out every day of their lives as husband and wife. Five months after they were married, Meredith served on the USS Kitty Hawk (aircraft carrier) for one cruise during the Vietnam War. His specialty was aviation electronics, specifically the F4 B and F4 J phantom aircrafts.

While he was in bootcamp he came to know the Lord with the Navigators. He continued with them while he was overseas doing street witnessing during his time off. He shared with his family that his favorite memories from his time overseas with the Navy was establishing relationships with other Christians and different churches in the Philippians. He was part of Youth for Christ and would train others in street witnessing in Olongapo City in the Philippians. Another favorite part of being in the Navy was singing with the Blue Jackets Choir.

In 1971, Meredith transferred to the Naval Reserve, and at that time he went back to Arizona and finished his degree. During that time, also, he and Mary-Jane had their first child.

Meredith reenlisted to the United States Navy in 1974. During his second enlistment, he and Mary-Jane had their second child. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy in 1978. He took a job in his University field of study as a forester with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Whiteriver, Arizona. He loved his time walking in the forest and would often bring his children along. They loved having adventures with him at work. While in Arizona, Meredith was involved in fighting forest fires. He was also the Assistant Fire Chief and his wife worked with him as the fire department dispatcher.

He expanded his career in Fire management when he became the Refuge Fire Coordinator for the US Fish and Wildlife in Lawton Oklahoma. He was promoted to Regional Forester-Regional Firefighter for the eight northern states, which brought him and his family to Minnesota where he retired in 2003.

His love of music and singing continued all his life, singing in church choirs and enjoyed listening to hymns, gospel, and classical music. His love and passion for sharing Jesus also continued and was lived out as he went on a mission trip to Peru and taught adult Sunday School classes.

He loved teaching and he taught college classes in fire, forestry, and other subjects. He loved to laugh and make others laugh and tell a good story. He loved his family and loved spending time with them playing games, chatting, taking walks with them, giving them advice from his many life experiences and what he learned as he studied the Bible, tickling and doing his Donald Duck voice for his grandkids, and praying for and with them. He loved the outdoors and would spend hours sitting and walking in nature. Most important to him was his love of God, his Heavenly Father. He could often be found in his free time studying the Bible and being in prayer.

We will miss you incredibly as a husband, daddy, pappo, brother and friend. We will continue to live out the legacy you have passed on to us. We rejoice with you as you are in the place you longed to be and know that when you entered into heaven you heard, "Well done good and faithful servant!"

9:30 AM Visitation, Berean Baptist Church, Burnsville, 309 County Rd 42 E

10:30 Service

12:00 Noon Procession escort to Fort Snelling National Cemetery

1:00 Interment with Navy Military Honors (15 minute duration)