Emedio D. "Meets" Ianni, 89, of Landenberg, died peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 19, with his loving wife Mary and oldest son Samuel by his side. He was the husband of Mary V. (Bagnato) Ianni, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage. Born in 1931, Meets resided his entire life on Penn Green Road in Landenberg, and was the son of the late Samuel and Eleanor (Sperlunto), Ianni.

A graduate of Kennett High School, Meets proudly served his country, which he greatly loved in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.

Meets was the owner/proprietor of E&M Ianni Mushrooms in Landenberg and retired in 2016. In addition to being a skilled mushroom grower, Meets served his community for more than 74 years as an active member of the Avondale Fire Company, which he loved. During that time, he served in various positions, including chief engineer, and holds the record for most tickets ever sold for the annual Fire Company Spaghetti Dinner and chicken barbeques. He rarely missed a call in his younger days and was always happy to see his name at the top of the most calls made list each year. Meets also worked part-time for many years at New Garden Township and enjoyed keeping the roads tidy especially during a snowstorm!

Meets was an avid Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles fan and was tickled when the Birds finally won the Super Bowl. Another of his passions included being an enthusiast of all things John Wayne and Clint Eastwood and was always up for a good western or war flick. While he enjoyed his daily visits to Dunkin Donuts to see his friends, and in earlier days Bunnys, Meets was most happy to spend time at his beach house in Lewes, Del. He worked hard for that house and enjoyed taking care of the yard, grilling large amounts of chicken and steak, and hosting his family and neighbors.

Always smiling and rarely complaining, Meets was a man of high integrity. If you asked him for help, he would. If you needed to borrow something, it was yours. When a house was on fire or a hay pile burning, he left his work to try to save yours regardless of weather or conditions. That kind of commitment deserves our gratitude. Anthony Bourdain said, "Skills can be taught. Character you either have or you don't have." Character is what exemplified Meets' life.

Meets loved Country Music, especially Johnny Cash. If you can, please say a prayer and play some Johnny to honor the life of Meets Ianni.

Meets is survived by two sons, Samuel (Karen) Ianni of Landenberg and Anthony (Janet) Ianni of Golden, Colo., and a sister Grace (Ianni) Ciaffoni of West Chester. Meets was preceded in death by his brother Arthur Ianni of Landenberg. Meets was also very proud of his three grandsons, John, David (Caitlin), and Adam Ianni, and was thrilled to spend time with his great-granddaughter, Emma Grace.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 28, at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church, 8910 Gap Newport Pike (Route 41), Avondale. His funeral mass will follow at 11. Burial will be St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Route 82, Kennett Square, PA

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Avondale Fire Company, New Truck Fund, 23 Firehouse Way, Avondale, PA 19311, or to Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church, P.O. Box 709, Avondale, PA 19311

To view Meet’s online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com

Arrangements by the Kuzo Funeral Home, Kennett Square.