MESSER, Perl Elwood, 1919-2000

MESSER, MCPHERON, BREWSTER

Posted By: Betty Hootman (email)
Date: 2/9/2012 at 13:58:25

The Burlington (IA) Hawkeye
3 February 2000

Perl Messer

Perl E. Messer, 80, of Wayland, died at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000, at Parkview Home in Wayland.

Born Dec. 13, 1919, in Glasgow, he was the son of Arthur H. and Elsie McPheron Messer. He married Betty Brewster on March 4, 1942.

Mr. Messer was a longtime Funk's corn dealer and also farmed in Henry, Jefferson and Washington counties. After retiring from the farm, he moved to Wayland, where he worked for Brooks Meat Plant and Farmers and Merchants Telephone.

He was a member of the Cottonwood United Methodist Church and served on the church board and also as a past president of the Cottonwood Cemetery Association. He was a member of the Adoniram Lodge 120 of Wayland, past master of of the Richland lodge, a member of Scottish Rights and Kaaba Shrine, a 50-year member of the Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star, charter member of Richland Lions and a member and past president of the Wayland Lions Club. For many years he played on the men's softball league and was active with organizations for young boys. He served for many years as a 4-H leader and as a coach and umpire in local baseball leagues. He also served on the Coppock City Council.

Survivors include his wife; four sons, Laverne, Gene and Gary, all of Wayland, and Dan of Washington; nine grandchildren; one great-granddaughter and three brothers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and four sisters.

Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. today. A Masonic service will be at 7 p.m., after which the family will receive friends.

The funeral for Mr. Messer will be at 10 a.m. at Cottonwood United Methodist Church, with Carl Klein officiating. Burial will be in the Cottonwood Cemetery.

Memorials have been established for Cottonwood Cemetery and Wayland Rescue Unit.