Herb Meppelink

Herb Meppelink, 85, of Springfield, Mo., died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at the home of a son, where he had lived since 2007.

He was born June 26, 1923, on the family farm in Lynnville, Iowa.

Meppelink was a graduate of Central Bible Institute in Springfield, and was a minister with the Assemblies of God 63 years. After pastoring 20 years in Michigan, he assumed responsibility for starting and maintaining the Detroit Teen Challenge operation in 1965.

Herb and his wife, Flo, were appointed as home missionaries in 1967. He was director of Teen Challenge International Mid-America in Cape Girardeau from 1972 to 1990. He served as national Teen Challenge president from 1990 to 1994.

Although Herb was past retirement age, he was asked to oversee all Teen Challenge operations for the South Texas District. In his 80s he could not maintain the schedule of regular ministry, although he remained active by volunteering for jail ministry. He was also an instructor in the rehabilitation arm of Praise Assembly Church in Springfield.

Survivors include a son, Chuck, of Springfield; a brother, Harvey, of Boston.; and a sister, Joyce, of Sulley, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 2007.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at White Chapel in Springfield.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jack Smart officiating.