Senator 'Bud' Meeks dies at 67

FORT WAYNE -- State Sen. Charles "Bud" Meeks, R-Leo, died early Monday morning after a lengthy illness. He was 67.\nMeeks had represented Senate District 14, which includes portions of Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties in northeast Indiana, since 1998. He was Allen County Sheriff from 1975 to 1982.\nMeeks had been battling cancer and missed the final days of the most recent legislative session after undergoing surgery.\n"It is difficult to imagine our Senate chambers without Bud," said Senate President Pro Tem Robert Garton, R-Columbus. "He consistently brought an upbeat disposition and positive attitude to his duties as senator."\nMeeks was the ranking member on the criminal, civil and public policy committee and chaired its subcommittee on corrections. He also served on the insurance and financial institutions, transportation and homeland security and natural resources committees.\nState Sen. Becky Skillman, R-Bedford, chairwoman of the Senate Republican caucus, said Meeks treasured every moment of his public service and represented his district with "passion and integrity."\n"He was the first to arrive at committee meetings, caucus meetings and session on the floor of the Senate," Skillman said. "He said he was always eager to do the people's business. We missed his presence while he was ill during this session, and we miss him still."\nMeeks' brother, Republican Robert Meeks of LaGrange, has represented neighboring Senate District 13 in northeastern Indiana since 1988.\nOther survivors include Bud Meeks' wife, Marjorie; son, Brian; brother, Fred; and three grandchildren.\nFuneral services will be 11 a.m. EST Friday at The Chapel in Fort Wayne, followed by burial at Covington Memorial Gardens, also in Fort Wayne.