Virgil J. Messmer, 89, Jasper

Virgil J. Messmer, 89, Jasper, passed away at 8:20 a.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2016, at Cathedral Health Care Center in Jasper.

Virgil was born in Huntingburg, Indiana on November 4, 1927, to Frank and Rose (Bische) Messmer. He married his wife of 58 years, Clara Mae Schnell on September 6, 1958, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Schnellville.

Virgil was a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Korean War. He retired from Jasper Desk after 20 years of service. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper and their Holy Name Society, the VFW Post #673, and the NRA. He enjoyed gardening and hunting.

He is survived by his wife, Clara Mae Messmer of Jasper; two daughters, Joann Messmer and companion Brian Clevenger of Spencer and Dorothy (Dee) Mendel and fiancé Stuart Campbell, Jacksonville, Fla.; three sons, Joe Messmer of Tampa, Fla., Frank Messmer and partner Nate Simons of Grove City, Ohio, and Tony Messmer of Schnellville; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four sisters, Marcella Oeding of Huntingburg, Norma Steffen of Jasper, Ann Hoffman of Huntingburg and Bernadine Mohler and husband Johnny of Greencastle, Ind.; three brothers, Orville Messmer of Huntingburg, Hubert Messmer of Ferdinand and Donald Messmer of Velpen;

Preceding him in death was a son, David Messmer; one sister, Viola Schafer; and a brother, Richard Messmer.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Virgil J. Messmer will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, December 5, 2016, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper, with entombment to follow in Fairview Cemetery Mausoleum in Jasper. The VFW Post #673 will conduct military gravesite rites.

Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 4, 2016, at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the Ferdinand Monastery of Immaculate Conception, or to a favorite charity.

Condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.