The Reverend Arnold W. Meckstroth, 101, a resident of Otterbein Saint Marys Retirement Community, Saint Marys, Ohio, died 4:25 P.M. Thursday, June 3, 2010, at Otterbein Saint Marys.

He was born May 25, 1909, in Saint Marys Township, Auglaize County, Ohio, the son of Benjamin and Anna (Maneke) Meckstroth.

He married Martha E. Katterheinrich on October 12, 1930 and she preceded him in death on February 27, 2005. They had shared 74 years of marriage.

He was a graduate of New Knoxville High School; Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio; and Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, Missouri. He did additional graduate work at McCormick Seminary in Chicago, Illinois; and Union Seminary in New York City.
He was ordained to the ministry at First Evangelical and Reformed Church (now United Church of Christ) in New Knoxville, Ohio. He served United Churches of Christ in Apple Creek, Cleveland, Akron and Chillicothe, Ohio; and in Indianapolis, Indiana. He visited the church’s mission in Ghana, and had preaching opportunities in Scotland and Germany. In retirement he served the Charleston Church of the Brethren near Chillicothe; and also did interim work in a number of churches. He was honored by First Church in New Knoxville, by being named Pastor Emeritus.

One of his interests was leading tours to the Holy Land, Europe and Alaska. He led numerous tours to Ladbergen, Germany, the home of his ancestors, and also visited there many times. On the occasion of the 1050^th Anniversary of Ladbergen, he was one of two persons honored with a Citizen’s Ring.

He served on the founding committees of the Saint Marys-Lienen, Germany Twin City Partnership, and also on the Wapakoneta-Lengerich, Germany Twin City Partnership.

Arnold is survived by two sons, Ned (JoAnn) Meckstroth of Plymouth, Indiana; Marcus (Meta) Meckstroth of State College, Pennsylvania; three grandchildren: Timothy (Jennifer) Meckstroth; Alicia (Brian) Towns; Kristin (Mark) Bush; by eight grandchildren: Hannah, Emily, Abbey Meckstroth; Joshua and Mark Towns; Ryan, Eric and Charlotte Bush.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Louise Hespe, Lydia Eschmeyer; Clarence and Ferd Meckstroth; by two grandchildren: Elizabeth and Brenda Meckstroth.

Funeral rites will be held 3:00 P.M. Sunday, June 6, 2010, at the First United Church of Christ in New Knoxville, The Reverends David Williams and Daniel Busch, concelebrants.

Burial will follow at Pilger Ruhe Cemetery in New Knoxville.

Friends may call one hour prior to services at the First United Church of Christ in New Knoxville, where, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Church of Christ; Otterbein Saint Marys Retirement Community or the New Knoxville Historical Society