He was born March 24, 1932 in Marshall, son of the late Frank N. and Lorene R. Waller Meehling. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1950 and earned his master’s degree and STB degrees from St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein.

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1958. Father Meehling was assistant at Ss. Peter and Paul, Alton (1958-1961); St. Thomas, Decatur (1961-1965); St. Anthony of Padua, Effingham (1965-1967); and Ss. Peter and Paul, Collinsville (1967-1968). He served as chaplain at St. Vincent Hospital in Taylorville in 1968 and parochial administrator at St. Norbert, Hardin (1968-1969) and Mother of Dolors, Vandalia (1969). He was parochial administrator and later pastor of St. Thomas, Newton (1969-1972). He served as co-administrator of St. Anthony of Padua, Effingham (1972-1976). He was pastor at St. Mary, Paris (1976-1979); St. Patrick, Decatur (1979-1985); St. Margaret Mary, Granite City (1985-1989). He spent 1988 on a sabbatical in Rome, then served as parochial administrator of Assumption of the BVM, Assumption, and St. Francis DeSales, Moweaqua, in 1989. He was pastor of Christ the King in Springfield (1989-1996) and parochial administrator of St. Dominic, Quincy (1995-1996). In 1996, he served as the diocesan coordinator for the Priests Retirement and Health Care Fund Drive. He was assigned as parochial vicar at St. Aloysius, Springfield, from 1996 until his retirement in 2008. He celebrated his 50th anniversary to the priesthood in 2008 and remained a resident of Springfield.

He is survived by his sister, Virginia R. Shawler; his brother, William F. Meehling; nieces, Marjann Palmer and Melinda A. Meehling; nephews, David F. Shawler, Donald M. Shawler, Thomas W. Meehling and William D. Meehling; one great-nephew, Nathan Meehling; and great-nieces, Madeline and Nicole Meehling.  

The funeral Mass will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, July 2, at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, with Father Peter Harman, celebrant.

An additional visitation will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 3, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 414 S. Sixth St., Marshall. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Retired Priest Fund, Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, 1615 W. Washington St., P.O. Box 3187, Springfield, IL 62708-3187.

Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.