Mike Van Meter was born on April 15, 1951, in Orange, Texas to Ruby Fay Peveto and Uno Marion Aijala. After his parent’s divorce, the family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where he was raised by his mother and later step-father, John William Van Meter. Mike loved his dad deeply, and during his teenage years had his name legally changed to Van Meter. Mike joined the Army at age 17. He was so proud to be able to say that he was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. (He was often teased by friends, saying “well, that explains it…who in their right mind would jump out of a perfectly good airplane?”) After serving three years active duty, he served an additional three years as a reserve. After his service in the Army, Mike moved back to Orange where so many of his family members lived. During his younger, and healthier years, Mike gave much of his time to volunteer efforts. He was a member of the Little Cypress Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He also served as a Deputy Constable for Orange County Precinct 1 for over twenty years. Mike and his wife, Theresa Ardoin, blended their families together on January 3,1992 in West Orange, Texas, where they shared 34 loving years together, until his passing. Theresa truly believes that God created the two of them for each other. They spent as much time as possible together…even so that Mike would go fabric and craft shopping with Theresa and give his expert opinion on colors, projects, etc. You very seldom saw one of them out and about without the other being right beside. They also enjoyed many motorcycle rides together. One of his favorite things to do was to travel down to Corpus, or where ever, to meet with his former Calallen schoolmates, where they shared many laughs and happy memories. Mike attended Cove Baptist Church with Theresa for over twenty years, where he became close with many of the members and became known as the “Candy Man,” as he always had a pocket full of Smarties to give to the young and old alike. Mike’s pride and joy rested in his children and grandchildren – daughters Tessa Humble and April Dickerson, step-sons Tommy Brown and Cliff Brown. God blessed Mike with ten grandchildren: Chase Humble, Jordan Humble, Brianna Humble, Cheyenne Dickerson, Blaine Garris, Adalyn Brown, Elliot Brown, Isaac Brown, Hazel Elizabeth Brown and Vada Grace Brown. Five great-grandchildren eventually came along: Kaden Humble, Lakelan Humble, Riverly Humble, Mia Bonneaux and Thomas Humble…with great grand-daughter Freya due to be born on his birthday next month. During the past few years, Mike suffered from a horrible lung disease – Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, which changed life as he knew it. His suffering on earth ceased on Friday, March, 13, 2026 in Harbor Hospice Hospital in Beaumont, Texas and he was able to breathe freely again in heaven the very next moment.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Darryl Smith. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn in Orange.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Preceding Mike in death were his mother, Ruby Peveto, father John Van Meter and granddaughter, Hazel Elizabeth Brown.

Left to mourn his absence, but praise his healthy entrance to heaven are his wife, Theresa, of West Orange, daughters Tessa Humble (and husband, Chris) and April Dickerson of Little Cypress; stepsons Tommy Brown of Hemphill, TX and Cliff Brown (and wife, Sarah) of The Woodlands, TX; along with grandchildren and great grandchildren; his beloved Ragdoll cat, Moses; siblings Judy Van Meter of Corpus Christi, TX, John William Van Meter II of Mathis, Texas and Kim Van Meter Asbury of Austin, TX; nieces, nephews, dozens of cousins and many friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Isaac Brown, Elliot Brown, John Van Meter II, John Van Meter III, Joshua Jarman, and Shane McCarty.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Lung Association at www.action.lung.org.

And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4