Donald Meindersma
June 4, 2019

Donald Meindersma (b. 1932) died Tuesday, June 4, 2019 in Tampa. He was 87. One of five children of Sybe and Florence Meindersma, he grew up in Cicero, IL, where he enjoyed scouting. During the Korean War, he served in the Air Force and assisted in producing a military publication, the Jet Gazette. After the war, he settled in Pinellas County where he worked with his brother, Bud, at Meinders-Noble Printing, and taught printing in the Pinellas County schools’ vocational curriculum. His love of bicycles and cycling inspired him to become the proprietor of County Cycle in St. Petersburg, then Sterling Cycle Center in Dunedin, and, in retirement, Don’s Pretty Good Bike Shop at the Oldsmar Flea Market. Quick-witted, tall (6’5”), lanky, and bearded, he bore more than a passing resemblance to Abraham Lincoln, to the extent that many knew him simply as “Abe.” An accomplished singer, Don sang baritone for the Crystal-Aires, and was a member of SPEBSQSA (now known as the Barbershop Harmony Society). He was an avid camper, and cleared and maintained hiking trails for the Florida Trail Association. Don was a devoted husband and a loving father and grandfather. He was predeceased by his wife Marylin (Sumner) in 1971, his wife Marie (Kiefer) in 2008, and by his daughters Diane, Kathleen, and Susan. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, step-daughter, Linda Munchbach, two sons, Brian and Jonathan Meindersma, two step-sons, Paul and John Sepulveda, 17 grandchildren, as well as great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.