SIKESTON, Mo. -- Ira Meridith, 66, of Sikeston died Friday, Sept. 20, 2002, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

He was born Jan. 4, 1936, in Kennett, Mo., son of Owen and Dorothy Menz Merideth.

Merideth operated a real estate and insurance agency in Sikeston, as well as serving on many civic clubs, including the Jaycees, Lion's Club, Sikeston City Council and Sikeston Chamber of Commerce.

Merideth served many years on the Kenny Rogers Children's Center Board of Directors and assisted with the first several telethons. He received numerous awards, including Sikeston Man of the Year, Missouri Realtor Associate of the Year and the Melvin Jones Award for Lions International.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon; three sons, Michael Merideth, Timothy Merideth and Ronald Merideth, all of Sikeston; four brothers, Kenneth Merideth of Essex, Mo., Carl Merideth and Dale Merideth, both of Sikeston, and Donald Merideth of Dexter, Mo.; four sisters, Jo Ann Hardin of Kewanee, Mo., Jeris Goetz and Katy Howell of Sikeston, and Karen Wade of Cape Girardeau; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Friends may call at Ponder Funeral Home after 5 p.m. Monday.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. William "Bill" Koch officiating. Burial will be in Sikeston Memorial Park Cemetery.