Donald Meckle

Posted 12/14/16

Donald Meckle died on December 9, 2016 surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with diabetes. He was 69.  Don, as he preferred to be called, was born on September 7, 1947. …

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Donald Meckle

Posted

Donald Meckle died on December 9, 2016 surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with diabetes. He was 69. 

Don, as he preferred to be called, was born on September 7, 1947. The son of the late Edward Meckle and Lura Minckler Meckle, he grew up in Sparrowbush, NY, along the banks of the Delaware River. It was there that he developed his early love of hunting and fishing. He spent his days in the creeks and river. As a teenager he moved to Callicoon, NY, where he helped his extended family, the Davises, run the Callicoon Inn. He met many folks over the 30 years that he tended bar there, developing memories that lasted a lifetime.

He graduated from Delaware Valley Central School in 1967. He married his wife, Kathleen Ried Meckle on August 22, 1970. Together they settled in NYC while he attended and graduated from Pace University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education. In 1977, they opened D&K Sport shop. They operated the shop for 15 years as well as a fishing lure business, Lunker Don Lures. Don had a great love of hunting and fishing. For many years, he led the Sullivan County Democrat big buck contest with a nine-pointer shot in 1985. He fished in bass tournaments for many years both locally and throughout the Northeast. He was even featured on the cover of Bassmaster magazine, a true honor.

In the early ‘90s, he went back to school at the College of New Rochelle and obtained a Master’s Degree in Special Education. He taught Special Education at Delaware Valley School and Sullivan West. His students meant the world to him, and he touched many of their lives. He served in many capacities in the community. He was a longtime assessor in the Town of Delaware, treasurer of the Sunrise Rod and Gun Club and Little Pond Sportsmen Club. He was a past fire commissioner for the Hortonville Fire Co. and served on the Town of Delaware Democratic Committee. He coached Little League and made sure all his players had an equal chance to be their best. In retirement, his wife Kathy, along with their daughter, Kara and her husband, Justin, embarked on a new project. He became an integral part of Buck Brook Alpacas. He helped give tours, went to shows and spent countless hours doing research. His mind never grew old. 

He is survived and will be forever missed by his loving family. Surviving him are his wife of 46 years, Kathleen Ried Meckle; his daughter, Kara, and son-in-law, Justin McElroy, of Hortonville; and his son, Loren, and wife, Tara of Wilmington DE. He is also survived by his four beloved grandchildren: James and Ryann McElroy and Dylan and Riley Meckle. Also surviving are his in-laws, Richard and Virginia Ried of Callicoon; sisters and brothers-in-law: Donna and Jim Volpone, Peggy and Dale Craig, Edward Ried and nieces, Amber Ceballos (Jeff) and Alex Volpone. Missing him dearly will be his beloved canine friend, Frisbee.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Donald Meckle Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Kathleen Meckle, 141 Buddenhagen Rd., Callicoon, NY  12723.

A memorial service was held on Wednesday, December 14 at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Callicoon, NY. Pastor Pam Allen officiated.