Junella Meppelink was born on June 28, 1913, near Leighton, Iowa. She was the daughter of Herman and Ella(Veldhuizen)Meppelink. Junella attended the Black Oak Country Grade School and following her graduation, assisted her parents on their farm along with her younger brother, Arthur. On February 18, 1937, she was united in marriage with Jacob J. VerMeer at her parent's home near Leighton. To this union two children were born: Mary Ellen and Harley Arthur. Jake and Juella farmed 3 miles east of Plella, Iowa and later Jake became an aggressive livestock buyer. They continued living on the farm until 1966 when they moved into Pella. Junella was a faithful wife and mother and devoted homemaker. She let the love for her Lord show in her everyday life. On September 2, 1991, her husband, Jake, passed away suddenly at Chariton, Iowa just prior to his 78th birthday. Junella continued living in their home until becoming a resident at the Hilltop Manor in 1998. She resided there and at the Pella Community Nursing Home until becoming a resident at Jefferson Place in January, 2007. Junella enjoyed attending her gandchildren's and great-grandchildren's activities as long as her health permitted. When she was unable to attend, she enjoyed listening to their experiences and accomplishments. She enjoyed visiting the sick and traveling with her good friend, the late Ella(VerMeer)Menninga. On Tuesday, November 1, she passed away at the advanced age of 98 years. Those who will cherish her memory are her two children and their spouses, 4 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Mary Ellen and Andy Uitemarkt of Pella, Iowa, Floyd Uitemerkt and his daughter, Maria, Lloyd Uitemarkt and his three children: Ross, Brandt and Cori, Harley and Karen(Moore)VerMeer of Pella, Iowa, Kim Hoch and her three children: Ashley Reynolds, Alexis and Makayla Hoch, Mike and Danielle VerMeer and their two childrren: Starlie and Matthew, Junella leaves her brother, Arthur Meppelink, and his wife, Edith of Pella; and a sister-in-law, Margaret(Teunis)VerMeer of Marietta, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her parents, H.P. and Ella Meppelink; her parents-in-law, John A. and Minnie(Van Gorp)VerMeer; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Anthony J. and Walterena VerMeer, Teunis J. VerMeer, Marie(VerMeer)and Roscoe Hutton, Alice(VerMeer)and Dick Langstraat. Junella was baptized in the First Christian Reformed Church in Pella where she made profession of her faith on December 20, 1931. She enjoyed her church activities and music, was a member of the Helping Hand Society and remained a faithful, supporting member of the church her entire lifetime.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 4, 2011 at 10:30 am at the First Christian Refomed Church, Pella, Iowa. Interment will be made in the Oakwood Cemetery at Pella, Iowa. Visitation will begin Thursday morning at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home where the family will be present Thursday from 6-8 pm. For those desiring, memorials may be given for the Pella Christian Grade School in Pella, Iowa.