Bryan J. Meder
Bryan J. Meder
Bryan J. Meder passed away peacefully at home in Stockton, NY surrounded by his family on February 27th, 2026, after a courageous battle with a debilitating illness. He was born on September 17th, 1956, in Jamestown, NY. He was a 1975 graduate of Cassadaga Valley School and a 1977 graduate of Alfred State with a degree in Animal Husbandry. Growing up, Bryan worked alongside his brothers and father operating the family dairy farm, which he went on to purchase and operate from 1990-2000. His love of farming brought him into the Crop Insurance industry where he was employed by numerous companies including John Deere, Fireman’s Fund, among others, and later retired from NAU County of Wisconsin in 2023 serving farmers all over the Northeastern US as a crop insurance adjuster. As a family tradition, Bryan also was employed as a school bus driver for Cassadaga Valley from 1977 to his retirement in 2014. With his love for high school sports, he then went on to sub-bus drive for Bemus Point from 2016-2023 for extracurricular trips. Bryan was a 36-year member of the Stockton Town Board and a member of the Stockton VFD for over 50 years where he held every office through his service.
Bryan had a true passion for agriculture. He found great joy in collecting model John Deere tractors, restoring his beloved John Deere 3020 and riding around in a harvester, combine, or tractor whenever he could. Because we all know Bryan couldn’t say no, he formed Rocky Valley Suffolks with his daughter Brittany in 2010 proudly showcasing the flock across the eastern US at local and national sheep shows. From Dairy Farmer to Sheep Farmer, he loved farming.
Bryan was never afraid of a long road trip as he always said he liked “getting to see the countryside.” One bonus of the many trips was getting to listen to Bryan sing along to Alabama, the Beach Boys, and all country music. Spring Break trips to Myrtle Beach, SC to watch his daughter Ashley play softball, Walt Disney World for family vacations and to watch his daughter Brandi compete in National Dance competitions, Tug Hill for snowmobiling with his son Trevor, Bristol, TN to camp and watch his favorite NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, countless amusement parks to ride rollercoasters and everywhere in between he was never afraid to get in the truck and go. Even if he did run out of gas a time or 2, or 10….
Bryan attended every extracurricular activity he could to show his endless support to his children and grandchildren. He was a dad and a papa who wore many hats. Softball, football, wrestling, musical, 4-H, volleyball, dance, hockey, you name it and Bryan was there donning a baseball cap for every occasion.
Cooking chicken was a Meder family tradition and Bryan could be found each summer at the BBQ pit with his dad and family cooking their famous “Charlie’s Chicken.” Bryan made sure to teach all his family that the tails were for us to eat to know when the chicken was getting close to being done!
Those closest to him will always remember his hatred for fuzzy peaches but his love for his mother’s fresh baked peach pie!
Bryan found joy being surrounded by family and friends. He could be known as Mr. Social Butterfly as he could spike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere and make a friend. To have known Bryan, was to have loved him.
He is survived by his loving wife and caregiver Michelle Meder whom he had found companionship with for 22 years and then they married on 2/4/2024. Devoted father of Ashley (Dan) Balling of Jamestown, Trevor (Mindy) Meder of Stockton, Brittany (Billy) Begier of Jamestown and Brandi Meder of Stockton. Proud Papa of Charlie, Avery, and Jack Balling, Tate Meder, and his little peanut Benelli Begier. Brother of Rick (Debby) of Bemus Point, Don (Colleen) of Stockton, Bob (Becky) of New Braunfels, TX, Mark (Kim) of Dunkirk and the late Bill and Jim Meder. And countless nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at The Jordan Funeral Home, Sinclairville, NY Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Funeral Service will be at The Stockton Community Church on Thursday March 5, 2026 at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to be made to the Chautauqua County 4-H Sheep Project.