Herbert Wilson Meredith

Herbert Wilson Meredith, 102, passed away in Cate’s Hospice House on December 5, 2023 after complication from a broken arm due to a fall. He was born on March 4, 1921 in Dunnellon, Florida. He was the youngest son of the late James Franklin Meredith and the late Rebecca Jane Folks Meredith, both of Marion County Florida. Herbert was a life long resident of Dunnellon and a member of the First Baptist Church of Dunnellon. He was a third generation Floridian and a graduate of the Dunnellon High School class of 1939. After graduation he worked at the Dunnellon Post Office for $0.15 per hour. He then drove a truck hauling top soil to the Dunnellon Airport. He joined the United States Coast Guard on July 9, 1942 (aged 21). He served in the Coast Guard during WWII aboard the troop transport APA-13, the Joseph T. Dickman. Herbert was a motor mechanic for a Higgins landing craft that delivered combat troops to the beach. He participated in every amphibious invasion in the European theater including the invasion of Normady on D-Day. He was discharged after 3 years 7 months and 17 days of service.

In 1947, Herbert worked for Florida Power Corporation at the Inglis power plant # 3. He was one of the original operators for the Crystal River power plant unit # 1&2 which began operation in 1967. He retired in 1983 after 36 years of service.

Herbert was introduced to Helen Ruth Reid by her FSU roommate and Herbert’s cousin Midge Folks. On June 22, 1952 Herbert married Helen Ruth Reid.

He has been a deacon in the First Baptist Church of Dunnellon, Florida for 56 years. He credited his survival of WWII, good health, and longevity to his strong faith in Jesus Christ.

He is preceeded in death by his wife of 53 years Helen Reid Meredith, his son James Reid Meredith, and his siblings Susie Rae, J. Carrol, Samuel, Ben, Otis, Carey and Gladys.

He is survived by his son Keith W. Meredith (Luretta) of Dunnellon; grandsons, Clayton Meredith (Mary) of Albuquerque, NM; Miles Meredith of Albuquerque, NM; step gandson John Alex Thomas of Dunnellon and his children Noah and Chloe Thomas; step ganddaughter Casandra Valente of Seminole and her children Dyllan Wostbrock, and Jaxson Martico all of Seminole; and nephews, Frank Meredith and Carrol Meredith, of Dunnellon.

Viewing will be at Roberts Funeral Home in Dunnellon on Friday December 8 from 5PM to 7PM. Services for Mr. Meredith will be held at the Dunnellon First Baptist Church, Saturday December 9 at 11 AM. Interment will follow at Dunnellon Memorial Gardens, Dunnellon, Florida.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to prostate cancer research or your local church.