Gloria D. Meiklejohn

Gloria Dawn Voight Meiklejohn, age 92, passed peacefully to her Heavenly Home on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 with family at her bedside. Born to Merlin “Merph” and Ester (Enderle) Voight on September 17, 1931 in Fond du Lac, WI, Gloria grew up in Lomira alongside her older brother, Calvin, and twin brother, Gordon. Together they learned their family’s mink farm business. Graduating Summa Cum Laude from Lomira High School, she went on to attend the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1949 on an academic scholarship. In 1951, Gloria married Thomas “Tom” W. Meiklejohn, Jr. They built a beautiful life on Lake DeNeveu in Fond du Lac with their three children, Dawn, Anne, and Thomas III. Gloria and Tom had a shared love for the automobile, aviation, and boating industries. This led to them establishing their businesses – Meiklejohn Import Auto and co-owning Yar-Craft Boat Co (Menominee, MI) – and to their involvement with the formation of the EAA and being part of the first official EAA club meeting alongside the Wittmans. Gloria made a lasting impression on anyone she encountered. She was a lifelong member of Salem United Methodist Church and their Morning Circle Committee and church choir every Sunday. For 50+ years, she was a passionate active member of PEO Chapter K, having served as president. Gloria loved to travel, was an expert knitter, enthusiastic reader, master gardener, and avid fan of the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers - never missing a game on TV. She was a skilled baker, sharing her novelty banana bread, oatmeal cookies, and Christmas treats with family and friends. Gloria also had a special adoration for photography and the game of bridge. She was known to always have her camera at the ready, and spent nearly two decades working at Aherns Photography. She was also known as a professional Bridge player around the Fond du Lac community being part of multiple bridge clubs at once, while also teaching others how to play and about the importance of the game. She had a deep love and connection to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren (11 and counting). She filled her life with the love of family, friends, and serving others. Her enthusiastic, light-hearted spirit was worn by her huge smile and witty personality. She will be missed and remembered dearly. Gloria is preceded in death by her parents, Merph and Ester; her brothers, Cal and Gordy; her husband, Tom; son-in-law, Jeff Faris; great-grandson, Trey Den Boer. She is survived by her children, Dawn Meiklejohn, Anne Faris, and Tom (Trista Holz) Meiklejohn; grandchildren, Liz (Steve) Oved, Ali (Parker) Helleberg, Jenny (Nate Sharpless) Faris, Taylor (Alli) Meiklejohn, Dena (Lance) Den Boer; great-grandchildren, Grace, Tatum, Jonah, Josie, Reese, Jude, Amalia, Sophie, Crew, Lincoln, and Max. A special thank you to all the teams at SSM Health of Fond du Lac – St. Agnes Hospital, St. Frances Home, and the Hospice Home of Hope – who helped support and care for Gloria in her final couple of months. God and our Lord are with Gloria forever. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Gloria’s name to the PEO Chapter K Gloria Meiklejohn Scholarship (P.O. Box 1794, Fond du Lac, WI 54936) and the Lake DeNeveu Preserve (N5289 Club DeNeveu Dr, Fond du Lac, WI 54937). Kurki Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving Gloria’s family. A private celebration of life will be held in her honor at a later date.

Gloria D. Meiklejohn

September 17, 1931 - April 16, 2024