Richard Gordon Meininger

Richard “Dik” Gordon Meininger, age 83, of Canadian Lakes, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2020. Richard was born February 27, 1936 to Edward and Mildred (Fahrenbruch) Meininger in Detroit, Michigan.

Dik met the mother of his children, Sharon Thompson, in Detroit, the couple had three children and were married for 17 years. He then met and married Marilyn Sue (Doran) Ellis and welcomed Marilyn’s two children into the family. They were married for 36 years, until Marilyn’s passing.

Dik served in the United States Army before working for General Motors as a draftsman. He later decided to go into business for himself becoming a General Contractor. Dik successfully owned and operated Dix Contracting Company, which performed new construction and remodeling of commercial buildings.

Throughout his life Dik resided in Detroit, Farmington Hills, and Canadian Lakes, Michigan. He was in the process of moving to Highlands Ranch, Colorado, to be with family, at the time of his passing.

Dik was passionate about golf and was a member of multiple golf leagues, Euchre clubs, and a Canadian Lakes pool league. He never met a stranger and had way of making friends through his jokes and humor. Dik always wore a smile, had a positive disposition, and was loved by everyone who met him. While the timing of Dik’s passing was unexpected, his family finds comfort in words he shared on the day of his passing: “I’ve lived a very happy life.”

Those left to cherish Dik’s memory include his children, Michele (Garrett) Olson and David Meininger; his step-children, Robert (Melanie) Ellis and Brian (Jennifer) Ellis; eleven grandchildren, Jesse Meininger, Sarah (Brian) McKee, Valerie (Emanuel) Brito, Kristen (Michael) Nelson, Travis Meininger, Cody (Katie) Meininger, Abbey, Cameron, Nolan, Callum, and Keegan Ellis; five great-grandchildren, Atreya, Collin, Aubrie, Bailley, and Camden; and his nieces and nephews, John, Dan, Jim, Joe, Matt, Mark, and Deborah. Dik is preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Meininger; his son, Michael Brett Meininger; his parents; his sister, JoAnn Sheahan; brother, Donald Meininger; nephew, Kelly Sheahan; and the mother of his children, Sharon Meininger.

In accordance with Dik’s wishes, no service will be held. Instead, in Dik’s honor, family and friends are encouraged to share a joke, smile at a stranger, or do something kind for someone.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dik’s name to the COPD Foundation, through the link below or online at copdfoundation.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerchapelhill.com for the Meininger family.