Harold E. Meister Jr.

Harold Edward (Ed) Meister Jr., 78, entered his heavenly home on April 17, 2025, after a courageous battle with heart and kidney disease. He was born on November 22, 1946, to Harold Edward and Jacqueline (DeWeese) Meister.

Ed graduated from Grand Ledge High School and went on to attend Lansing Business University. Growing up next door to a Colonel in the National Guard, this inspired him to enlist and proudly serve for six years.

His true passion was helping people make decisions about their automotive needs—a calling he pursued for nearly 50 years in the car business and continued into retirement. Ed had a remarkable memory for every car he sold, including the make, model, and even the color. While he might not always remember your name, he’d never forget what car he helped you find—and often, he turned customers into lifelong friends.

A sports enthusiast through and through, Ed was especially devoted to Michigan State Spartan athletics and was eagerly anticipating the WNBA season to cheer on his favorite team, the Indiana Fever. He also found joy in the outdoors, tending lovingly to his lawn and flowers, and took great pride in his lake home—a place that brought him deep happiness.

Above all, Ed loved being “Papa” to his five grandchildren, who were the light of his life. Ed is survived by his wife of 47 years and high school sweetheart, Rory Darling Meister; his sons, Jason and Travis (Katherine); grandchildren Mollie, Grace, Matthew, Emily, and Ava Meister; his brother William (Darlene) Meister; sister Mary (Charles) Doll; sisters-in-law Debra Bartholomew Meister, Denise Darling, and Diana (John) Hall; brother-in-law Dennis Darling; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John Raymond “Rocky” Meister, his daughter-in-law Elizabeth “Betsie” Meister, and his in-laws, Francis and Wauneta (Curtis) Darling.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 22, from 1–4 p.m. at Tony M’s in Lansing, MI, with a family-led blessing beginning at 1:30 p.m. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

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