Louis Clem Meinhart, born January 6th, 1934 of Island Grove Illinois passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at St Anthony Hospital in Effingham Illinois. He was a beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather.

Louis was the son of the late Paul and Elizabeth (Bierman) Meinhart. He graduated from Newton Community High School in 1952 and served in the army from 1954-1956 at St Lawrence Island and in Anchorage Alaska.

Louis was a devoted family man who married the love of his life, Ruth Niebrugge on April 24th, 1957. They were the proud parents of four children, Paul (Julie) Meinhart of Wheeler, Jim (Lois) Meinhart of Teutopolis, Joe (Brenda) Meinhart of Dieterich, and Carol Meinhart of Champaign; 10 grandchildren, Kristi, Lori, Andy (Shelby) Meinhart; Brittany (Roger) Nuxoll, Chelsea (Clay) Zerrusen, Nick (Molly) Meinhart; Zachary (Shayna) Meinhart, and Michael Meinhart; Justin(Wendy) Lohmeier, Brandon Hickey, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Louis is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, special friend Charlene Hartke, sister-in-law, Helen (Benny) Jansen, and many nieces and nephews.

Louis was a Dairyman, milking cows until the fall of 1986—a farmer who loved to raise corn, beans, and alfalfa and loved the smell of harvested corn. Nothing intrigued him more than the ability to raise high-yielding crops. Louis was an active member of St. Isidore Parish and served as a Eucharistic Minister for years, a member of the young farmers in his early years, a Farm Bureau member, Mid AM Milk producer for many years, an American Legion Member, 4thDegree Knights of Columbus, and a former Jasper County Unit 1 School board member and served as president for several years.

In 1994 at the age of 60, Louis started a new career as a Real estate agent. He loved meeting new people and helping them with buying and selling property; sometimes being accused of being too honest in the real estate business-- if Louis didn't think the deal was good for his clients he had no trouble telling them.

Louis was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruth; parents, Paul and Elizabeth Meinhart; brother, Earl Meinhart; sisters, Mildred Buehnerkemper, Ruth Diebel, and Rosella Laley.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, January 24th, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Island Grove,16987 N 200th St, Teutopolis Illinois 62467, with burial in the parish cemetery with Fr. Frank Folino and Fr. Michael Meinhart officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, with a Knights of Columbus rosary and 4th degree service to follow.