Paul R. Messmer, 84
Paul R. Messmer, age 84, of Jasper passed away at 7:45 P.M. on Sunday, January 19, 2014, at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper.
Paul was born on December 21, 1929 in Huntingburg to Clem and Viola (Woerter) Messmer. He married Virginia Sermersheim on August 1, 1953 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntingburg.
He worked for the local telephone company from 1947 to 1986, and then as a contractor for the phone company for another five years.
He was a Korean War veteran who served in the Army from September 1951 until June 1953, with 13 months in Korea.
He was a founding member of Precious Blood Catholic Church, where he served as a lector, server and Eucharistic Minister. He was a participant of the Divine Providence Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel located at Precious Blood Church. He was a member of Precious Blood Men’s Society where he held several offices. He served two terms on the Precious Blood School Board and served on the Building Planning Board and as a liaison for the new church and school addition.
He was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a life member of the Y.M.I. in Huntingburg, a life member of the VFW Post #673, the American Legion Post #493, a 3rd degree member of the Jasper Knights of Columbus, a life member of the Pioneer Telephone Association, and a life member of the Jasper Outdoor Recreation Association.
He was a sheephead player and an avid bridge player who belonged to the Jasper Duplicate Bridge Club. He was also a hunter and a fisherman.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Messmer, of Jasper; four daughters, Paula Reyling, and her husband, Kent, of Jasper, Donna Smith and her husband, Dr. Bruce Smith, of Effingham, Ill.; Linda Schmitt, and her husband, Randy, of Ireland, Ind., and Martha Schmitt, and her husband Gene, of Ireland; three sons, Dave Messmer and his wife Toni, of Jasper, Keith Messmer and his wife Jackie, of Newburgh, and Kevin Messmer and his wife, Bev, of Jasper; 17 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Pat Seckinger, of St. Meinrad; one brother, Bernard Messmer and his wife Sharon, of Jasper.
Preceding him in death was one brother, Steven Messmer, and one sister, Suzann Schiewer.
Funeral services for Paul R. Messmer will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2014, at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Jasper, with burial to follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ireland, IN. The VFW Post #673 will conduct military graveside rites.
Friends may call from 2:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2014, at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper. A rosary will be prayed at 1:45 p.m. The Huntingburg Y.M.I. will also perform a memorial service at 6:00 p.m.
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be prayed at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Divine Providence Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel located at Precious Blood Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Precious Blood Catholic Church school tuition endowment fund.
Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.
