Published on June 10, 2026 11:02 am
Last Updated on June 10, 2026 11:06 am
Daniel Lawrence Meinhart, age 84, of Island Grove, Illinois, passed away at 10:32 AM – Monday, June 8, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM – Thursday, June 18, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Island Grove, Illinois. The burial will be at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Island Grove, Illinois. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM on Wednesday June 17, 2026, at the church. In honor of Daniel, memorials may be made to Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Daniel was born on March 31, 1942, in Effingham, Illinois, the son of Lawrence and Dorothy (Bergbower) Meinhart. He married Mary A. Vahling on November 30, 1963, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Teutopolis, Illinois.
Dan was a graduate of Newton Community High School, Class of 1960. He was a member of Saint Isidore the Farmer Parish and Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Island Gove, Illinois, as well as a Knights of Columbus 4th Degree member.
Dan was a lifelong grain and livestock farmer in the Island Grove community of Jasper County. He shared his knowledge with Farm Week for over 28 years as the Area Crop Watch contributor. In 1996, Prairie Farmer presented him with their Master Farmer award. He was active in the Illinois Pork Producers Association and Jasper County Pork Producers. He was avid collector of John Deere tractors and shared his passion as a member of the National Trail Two-Cylinder Club.
He was also a member of the Dieterich Ruritan Club.
Daniel is survived by-
Wife- Mary A. Meinhart of Montrose, Illinois
Children-Kathy (Stan) Jansen of Edgewood, Illinois; Carl Meinhart (Nicole De La Cruz) of Santa Barbara, California; Sharon (George) Schisler of Red Feather Lakes, Colorado and Tony Meinhart of Dieterich, Illinois
Grandchildren- Maria (John) Barrett, Michelle (Cody) Hinterscher, Jenna Meinhart, Jett Meinhart, Andrea Schisler, Victoria Schisler, Emma Meinhart (Fiancé Will O’Dell), Eva Meinhart (Austin Althoff), Estella Meinhart (Landon Blake) and Elaina Meinhart (Victor Walk)
Great-Grandchildren- Makenna Hinterscher, Addy Hinterscher, Brooklyn Hinterscher, Aubree Hinterscher and Gianna Hinterscher
Sisters-in-law – Sr Rita Vahling, OSF of Joliet, Illinois and Joyce Vahling of Teutopolis, Illinois
Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Jane (Robert) Hewing and Carol (Ed) Buenker, father-in-law and mother in-law Anna and Ferdinand “Ferd” Vahling, brother-in-law Ray (Mary Lou) Vahling and sisters-in-law Sr Helen Vahlin and Julie (Tim) Lynch.