Sidney M. Meinhardt, 78, of Topeka, passed away Thursday, February 12, 2015. He was born January 25, 1937, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the son of Clarence Sidney and Martha (Hueppelsheuser) Meinhardt.
Sidney was raised in Emporia and Topeka, Kansas and graduated from Emporia High School in 1951. After high school, he attended welding school in Topeka, and graduated in 1953. Sidney joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and was assigned to the Aircraft Mechanic Training program at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, completing his training in 1956. He was an Airman 3rd Class assigned to the 56th Air Rescue Squadron, 7th Air Rescue Group and served at Air Force bases in Texas, Brooklyn, NY, Germany and French Guiana.
After completing his service, Sidney was self-employed, doing painting and auto body work. He went on to work as an industrial painter for Ammon Paint Company, retiring in 1998.
Sidney was a member of the Painters and Decorators of America Union and the Oakland Presbyterian Church in Topeka.
Sidney married Carol L. Snook on April 23, 1994 in Topeka. She survives of the home.
He is also survived by his daughter, Vicki Meinhardt and her husband, Dylan Johnson; step-daughter, Jessica Snook; 3 grandchildren; brother-in-law, Wayne Clark and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Shirley Clark.
Sidney enjoyed spending time with his family, practical jokes, fishing, auto body work and "building things".
Sidney was cremated. A memorial ceremony will be held June 20, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4746 SW 21st Street, Topeka, KS.