Messamaker, Arthur William

MESSAMAKER, KELDERMAN, GAASS

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/18/2005 at 20:25:37

Funeral services for Arthur William Messamaker, 88, of Pella who passed away Dec. 8, were held Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Van Dyk Duven Funeral Home in Pella. Rev. Aaron Loree, officiated. Music was provided by Mrs. Barb Nunnikhoven, organist and Mrs. Patti Van Zante, soloist.

Interment was at Oakwood Cemetery, in Pella. Casket bearers were Ken Shilling, John Shilling Jr., Robert Shilling, Daryl Van Weelden, Judson Van, Wade Van Weelden.

Arthur William Messamaker was born July 4, 1915 to William and Jantje (Jennie) Kelderman Messamaker. Arthur was baptized on May 21, 1916. Art, as he was known, was educated in the Pella Public Schools in Pella, and graduated from the eighth grade in 1932.

On Dec. 29, 1942 Art was inducted into the United States Army and served his country in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre overseas for 28 months in New Guinea, Guam and the Philippines. He qualified as a sharpshooter in 1943, but became a maintenance mechanic performing 1st and 2nd echelon maintenance and repair service on gasoline-powered vehicles. Art was honorably discharged from the military on January 24, 1946.

On June 25, 1975, Art was united in marriage with Florice Jayne Gaass at Pella. On December 6, 1996, Florice passed away at the age of 67 years.

He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Gonzales of Granger; three grandsons and two great-grandsons. Of Art's original family he leaves his sister-in-law, Lois (Cornelius) Messamaker of Newton and a brother-in-law, John Shilling of Albia.

Art was preceded in death by: his wife, Florice J. Messamaker; his parents; his brother Cornelius Messamaker; two sisters, Nettie and her husband G. Robert Hindman and Josephine (John) Shilling.

For those desiring, memorials may be designated for Hospice of Pella.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella.

Pella Chronicle, December 24, 2003