Meredith "Meri" Marie Teems Ameling
May 26, 1972- February 27, 2025
Meredith (Meri) Marie Teems Ameling of Anderson, Indiana, went to her eternal home just before dawn on February 27th, 2025. Born in Anderson, Indiana in May of 1972, Meri was the middle daughter to Keith and Virginia (Ginger) Teems. Meri’s early years were indicative of the lifelong path she would walk, when she learned to read at the age of 3. Her love for learning and for reading in particular would follow her throughout her life. Wherever she was, there was a book in her purse to read in transit between wherever she was going and during the 15 minutes she always had to spare after her required early arrivals. She grew up in a home filled to the brim with love for each other and, more importantly, love for Jesus. The daughter and granddaughter of faithful stewards of God’s word, she walked the same path, attending Southdale Church of the Nazarene. She attended Highland High School where she was a proud member of the concert band, playing oboe, and the Marching Highlanders as a majorette.
Meri would tell you that the most important thing she ever did was become a mother. Her children would tell you that the most important thing she did was teach them the value of family. She ensured that they knew how to show up for each other, especially when it is hard, even when you’re busy, even if it seems like the world is falling apart. Her relationship with her sisters, Dawn and Wendy, was a shining example to her daughters of the most important and lifelong friends one can ever have—their siblings. Meri was a vital part of a huge village for so many people. A part of the village that all of us will deeply and profoundly miss.
While her daughters were young, she attended Indiana Wesleyan University to pursue a degree in accounting, graduating with honors in 2004. All the while, working full time, parenting full time, battling a chronic illness, and still somehow not ever missing a sporting or school function. She showed us all just what a woman can do when she puts her mind to it. Her lifelong goal was to achieve the title of Chief Financial Officer, a goal which she obtained in 2022 at AgBest in Muncie, Indiana.
Meri valued using her God given talents to serve others. She served as the sound technician and treasurer for Southdale Church of the Nazarene. Later in life, Meri volunteered on the board for The Christian Center, providing support to the unhoused in Anderson.
She loved many people in her life, but she found her soulmate, John, in 2020. Meri and John found companionship in their deep love of all things sports and a life grounded in service to God. Many afternoons were spent raucously cheering on Notre Dame or the Tennessee Vols and they both anxiously awaited September for the return of football season. Though they had too few years together, Meri and John were the picture of what marriage should be, offering each other endless support, understanding, and friendship when facing either sunshine or rain.
More than anything, Meri proved to us all that with God and enough grit, anything is possible. We will all miss her wisdom, her generosity, and her knowledge. The world was a better place for having Meri in it. Our lives were better for having her, too.
Meri was preceded in death by her sister, Cynthia Teems, her grandparents, Robert and Betty Wigner and Keith (Sr) and Lela Teems, her beloved aunts Janet, Candy, and Lorna, her uncles Wayne and Butch, and her cousin, Andy.
She is survived by the love of her life, John Ameling, her parents Keith and Ginger Teems, her children, Shelby (Jesse) Pritt, Mereena (Nathan) Zachary, Madelynn (Devin) Bates, Gavin Vaughn, Bradley Gammon, and Matthew (Savannah) Ameling, her sisters, Dawn (Larry) Martin and Wendy (Robert) Baker, her 6 grandchildren whom she adored, Harrison, Indigo, Ruby, Shawn, Ophelia, and Phin, her parents-in-law, Paul and Shirley Heitz, along with countless extended family members and friends.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 10 AM at Southdale Church of the Nazarene, 530 West 53rd Street, Anderson, and burial will follow at East Maplewood Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 from 4-8 PM at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Christian Center .
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com