Jakob Meinders

Jakob "Jay" or "Jaap" Meinders was born on February 17, 1934 in Tweede Exloermond, Netherlands. He passed away at age 92 in Redlands, California on March 30, 2026. He was the seventh of eleven children born to Hendrik and Wilmeke Meinders.

ay immigrated to the United States in 1957 passing through Ellis Island then to Artesia, California. He worked as a Psychiatric Technician at Walter Reed Hospital during his 2 years of service in the United States Army. Upon return to Southern California, he began working for the Morris Plan. In 1964, he married Marie Rietkerk and was blessed with 4 children. Jay and Marie moved several times within California, (Ontario, Santa Rosa, Novato, Highland) finally settling in Redlands. For the next 24 years, Jay worked for San Bernardino County in zoning enforcement. In addition to a full-time job, Jay also attended Valley College for 2 years, worked in real estate and property management, and as custodian for Highland Ave. CRC with his daughter Cheryl. In his retirement, he enjoyed volunteering for Mexican Christian Children's Aid, meeting with the "guys" for Tuesday morning coffee, camping with the "Flying Dutchmen", and pursuing his passion of investing.

Jay was an active member of his church and community. He served as both a deacon and elder at Highland Avenue Christian Reformed Church, board member for Redland Christian School and Salem Christian Homes, and along with his wife a helper to those in need. He was most recently a member at Sovereign Grace OPC. Jay was consistent in his faithfulness to the Lord seeing that his family was in church twice on Sunday, had daily mealtime devotions, and behaved in a manner that honored God. Jay took joy in the simple pleasure of a dinner of roast beef, potatoes with gravy, and a
vegetable, naming it a meal fit for a king. His children remember the fun of going to the beach with him and long road trips to see relatives all over the United States and Canada where we took turns sitting in the front seat being the navigator. As any good Meinders, he loved to pour over a map, particularly the one of the Netherlands that hung in the hallway.

Jay is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marie, his children: Tena Meinders, Henry (Susan) Meinders, Sue (Jesse) Howerzyl, and Cheryl Meinders; and his granddaughters: Elizabeth and Katherine Meinders, Erin and Megan Howerzyl; and his four younger siblings, Tineke Wildeboer, Betty (Henk) ter Horst, Henk (Eta) Meinders, and Bernard Meinders. He is preceded in death by his parents and 6 older siblings Wina (Adam) Steenhuis, Siny (John) Snoek, Tina, Geert (Annie), Wim (Siet) and Jan (Annie).

A memorial service will be held at The Village of Redlands, 301 Wabash Ave. Redlands, CA 92374 at 11 am on Friday, April 17. Interment will take place at the Riverside National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Salem Christian Homes, 6921 Edison Ave. Chino, CA 91710.