Walter Messmer

Walter Leon Messmer, 77 of Benton, Missouri formerly a resident of the Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri died September 29, 2019. He was born August 20, 1942 in Chaffee, Missouri to Leon Joseph and Josephine Mary Himmelsbach Messmer. He married Patricia “Carol” Ranson on December 17, 1966 at the St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton, Missouri.

After marriage he graduated from SEMO with a BS in Social Sciences and Geology. He was a teacher in Cape Girardeau and Sikeston and had previously been a machine operator at Good Humor-Breyers in Sikeston. He was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton, Missouri. Lt. Messmer was a veteran of the United States Army during Vietnam War and received the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; a son, Matthew Clay Messmer of Ballwin, Missouri; two daughters, Sarah Beth Messmer of Benton and Rebecca Anne Nickell of Wildwood, Missouri; a brother, Michael Messmer of Dallas, Texas; two sisters, Diana Westrich of Kelso, Missouri and Marilyn Welsh of Jackson and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 9 am -10:30 am followed by the memorial mass on Monday, October 14, 2019 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso with Rev. Michael Casteel as celebrant.

Burial will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers the family requests any memorial donations be sent to:

Missouri National Veterans Memorial, PO Box 566, Perryville, MO 63775.