Quinton Mathias Meetze

IRMO - Quinton Mathias Meetze, 89, passed into eternal rest Wednesday, August 11, 2021, in Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia after a short illness. He was born April 12, 1932, and lived his entire life in the Dutch Fork area near Irmo, SC. He was the oldest son of Lee Augustus and Mary Bell Meetze. He was a life time member of Salem United Methodist Church in Ballentine.

Mr. Meetze graduated from Irmo High School in 1952 and served two years in the US Army. He married Voncille Long on April 3, 1955, and they were blessed with 66 years of marriage and three children. He worked for years in the service department of Hampton Pontiac in Columbia and later served as a SLED agent security guard at the SC Governor's Mansion under Governors Dick Riley, James Edwards and Carroll Campbell. Upon his retirement in 1989 he was awarded South Carolina's highest honor, The Order of the Palmetto, for distinguished service by then Governor Carroll Campbell.

Mr. Meetze is survived by his loving wife, Voncille and his children, Paul (Laura), Anita Kelly (John), and Mark (Brandie). Also grandchildren Joshua Meetze (Ami), Nicholas Rainey (Adrienne), Dylan and Ryan Meetze and Jessica Meetze. Also brothers Richard (Jan), and Roswell (Sadie), and a number of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, an infant brother, Stanley Nelson, and a sister, Annie Bell.

Mr. Meetze was proud of the Meetze family heritage, being a direct descendant of Yost Meetze, one of the early German settlers of the Dutch Fork in the Revolutionary War era. He and his extended family have continuously lived on a parcel of the original land grant from the English Crown.

Mr. Meetze had farming in his blood and a special relationship with the soil. He always had a big vegetable garden and enjoyed canning and sharing his vegetables with friends. He seldom met a stranger; his friendly spirit and contagious smile seemed to attract people everywhere he went. Lending a helping hand to someone was a highlight of his life which was a testament to his strong Christian faith. As he grew older, he was often heard to quote these familiar words: “An old soldier never dies; he just fades away.” To the contrary, Quinton Meetze most certainly will be long remembered.

A graveside service at Salem United Methodist Church will be held Saturday, August 28, at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will follow the service. Masks are highly recommended.

Memorials may be sent to Salem UMC, Cemetery Fund, 1321 Salem Church Road, Irmo, SC 29063. Dunbar Funeral Home, Irmo Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared on the web site at www.dunbarfunerals.com.