Obituary: Michael N. Meddings - Class of 1968

MADISON - Michael Norris Meddings, age 67, of Madison, passed away on Thursday evening, Sept. 18, 2014, at Agrace HospiceCare, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born on Dec. 4, 1947, in Madison, the middle son of William T. and Agnes M. (Lovick) Meddings. He grew up in the Isthmus and graduated from Madison Central High School in 1967. He enlisted in the U.S. Army following high school and served a total of four years on active duty including service in Germany and two tours in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. While in Vietnam, he was awarded a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters, (two awards), an Air Medal, and two Army Commendation Medals. He was an active member of VFW Post 8483 and American Legion Post 481. After completing his military service he returned to Madison, attending school for a brief time on the GI Bill before securing employment with the City of Madison Streets Department. He retired from City employment in 2002, but not before acquiring the nickname "Squirrel", a moniker which persisted long after his retirement. He was a friend to all he worked with, a proud Union member, and enjoyed getting together with fellow retirees at numerous "social clubs" on the east side. His true legacy will remain the love and care he provided his mother, whom he visited on a daily basis until her passing in 2011. He is survived by the "love of his life", Jean Robinson of Madison; his canine companions, "PJ", "Gizmo" and "Mr. Pugsly"; brother, William T. (Jillaine) Meddings of Cross Plains; sister, Sonja L. Hildestad of Madison; brother, Mark P. Meddings of Sun Prairie; as well as five nephews, three nieces and a host of friends too numerous to count. He was preceded in death by both parents, a grandnephew and too many of his fellow serving soldiers. Funeral services will be held at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, at 7 p.m., with pastor Chad Christensen presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until the time of service. Interment will be with his parents in the mausoleum at Roselawn Memorial Park in Madison. This will be a private service for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Agrace HospiceCare or the Dane County Humane Society. A celebration of Mike's life will be held at a later date at VFW Post 8483. The family would like to thank the staff at University Hospital in Madison and especially the staff at Agrace HospiceCare for their care and compassion. We are blessed to have these wonderful resources here in Madison. Special thanks to dear friends, Jim and Patty Back, who accommodated all of his needs for transportation, love and companionship during the most difficult days of his struggle. "It is strange how one can feel both at the same time. My life, in a physical sense, is truly insignif- icant. As a tiny finite in all mea- sures compared to the infinite, I'm insignificant. At the same time, I can feel significance in be- ing linked to the infinite power, knowledge, love and presence of the Lord. Being personally known by and having interaction with the Creator brings significance. I didn't deserve the status of such significance, I didn't earn it. At best, I simply yielded to a role that I didn't fully understand in life. Understanding that one has a role in something infinite is a source of peace. My physical body felt the effects of age and disease. My mental being was prone to taking leaves of absence. My spiritual being is feeling rather healthier."

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 21, 2014. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).

Note: The graduation year given in the obituary may be incorrect. Mike Meddings is listed as a member of the Class of 1968 in both the Tychoberahn yearbook and the 1968 list of Madison Central High School graduates published in The Capital Times.