Melvin Douglas Meng

Melvin Douglas “Doug” Meng, former teacher in the St Joseph School District Industrial Technology program and farmer, passed away in the Oregon Care Center, Oregon, Missouri on the 31st day of May, 2018.
Doug was born on Sept. 6, 1952 to Melvin and Margaret (Steiner) Meng. Doug, a Christian, was a member of the Faith Fellowship Church of Oregon, Missouri.
Doug lived most of his life on a Hereford cattle and grain farm just outside Oregon, Missouri.   He learned to love the farm life at a very early age helping his father feed the cattle and work on the farm machinery. Hunting, farming and fishing were his lifelong passions.
Doug was a member of the graduating class of 1970 from South Holt High School.
Before going to college, Doug enlisted in the Air National Guard serving for six years and achieving the rank of Sergeant.
Doug attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri attaining a Bachelor of Science in Education with emphasis Industrial Technology. He later achieved his Master’s Degree in Education from Northwest Missouri State University.
Doug taught in the St Joseph School System for 26 ½ years, classes such as small engines, basic electricity/electronics, woods and home maintenance, sixteen and a half years in Lafayette High School, two in Central High School and eight and a half in Benton High School.
While teaching for the St. Joseph District Mr. Meng taught students who led the state in small engine trouble shooting competitions. Mr. Meng was also a judge for this contest for many years and was the key person in getting 10 engines donated by Briggs & Stratton to be used for the trouble shooting competition. This made the competition have enough similar engines to give the competition balance.
On July 5, 2000 Doug was severely injured in a grain truck accident. As a result of his extensive injuries, Doug became a paraplegic. Doug farmed full time while teaching and continued farming with the support and help of his brother Ed Meng after his accident. Recently, Doug could still get excited discussing the price of corn, even if he could only raise his eyebrows in response to getting a good price per bushel.
Teaching and the pursuit of a higher education continued to be a passion for Doug as he encouraged many of the nursing staff who assisted in his care over the last 18 years, to further their education to LPN and RN. Over the years, the staff has found Doug to be a good listener and compassionate friend, have a quick wit with a get-r-done determination.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin M. Meng and Margaret A. (Steiner) Meng, former Oregon residents.
He is survived by one brother, two sisters, and their spouses, Ed and Sandra Meng of Oregon, Missouri, Denise and Doug Upchurch of Norman, Oklahoma, and Diane and August Robben of Smithville, Missouri; eight nieces and nephews, Stan and Sharon Meng of Oregon, Lisa and Brian Lang of Jamestown, North Dakota, Stacy Mitchell of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jamie and Whitney Upchurch of Norman, Oklahoma, Bethany and Cale Myers of Carson, Washington, Brian and Becky Cotton of Papillion, Nebraska, Crystal and Michael Holthouse of Liberty, Missouri, and Logan and Shawna Cotton of Overland Park, Kansas; and thirty-two great nieces and nephews.
Family visitation: Sun., June 3, 2018, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon. Funeral services: Mon., June 4, 2018, 10:30 am, Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon. Interment: Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorials: Faith Fellowship Church.