Meridith Beck Obituary

Meridith Ruth Beck

Feb 16, 1941 - Feb 24, 2023

Port Clinton

Meridith Ruth Beck passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at her home at Ohio Living at the Vineyard, Port Clinton.

Meridith was born Feb. 16, 1941, in Port Clinton, to Raymond and Gretchen Linder Claus. She graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1959 and Colby College of Waterville, Maine, in 1963.

After college, Meridith began her life-long mission of service to others and to the environment. For five years, she worked with American Red Cross, serving military hospitals, including a one-year assignment aboard the Navy hospital ship Repose in the waters of Vietnam.

Meridith was director of Ottawa County Red Cross from 1972 through 1975. In 1976, she graduated from Augustana Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, Illinois, and in 1980, from OBGYN Nurse Practitioner Program at Virginia Commonwealth University. She worked as a nurse practitioner for Toledo Planned Parenthood until 1984 and then with Ottawa County Health Department.

In 1984, Meridith married William Beck of Fremont. They retired to the home they built in Port Clinton in 1994.

Meridith owned and operated the much-loved Riverfront Bookstore in Port Clinton. Continuing service to the community, she was on Ida Rupp Public Library Board and volunteered with Red Cross and Ottawa County Historical Museum. She belonged to Thursday Study Club, National Organization for Women, and Port Clinton Classic Books group.

Meridith's favorite volunteer job was pursuing her life-long interest in preserving the natural beauty of Ottawa County, serving for 10 years on Catawba Island Park Board. She was on that board when the township acquired the property that became Cedar Meadow Nature Preserve and helped in the planning and development of the preserve.

She always enjoyed spending time with her six stepgrandchildren, Racheal, Chelsea, Olivia, Madeline, Chloe, and Max. They survive and she is also survived by stepsons, Brian (Robin) and Dean (Hope) Beck.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William (2017); and stepson, Douglas (2018).

Per Meridith's wishes, there will be no visitation. Burial at Catawba Island Township Cemetery will be private.

All who knew and loved Meridith will miss her intelligence, quick wit, honesty, sense of humor, and generosity. That generosity lives on and memorial contributions can be donated in her name to Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, 14000 West State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio, 43449.

Online condolences may be shared at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.

Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Clinton, is assisting with arrangements.