Luther Messer Jr.

EARLVILLE – Luther Messer, Jr. age 70, of Earlville, passed away Saturday, July 21, 2018 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford surrounded by his loving family.

Celebration of Life services will be held Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Pastor John Pickens officiating.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.  Burial will be held at the Messer Cemetery in Greenroad, KY on Friday, July 27, 2018.

Honorary pallbearers will be Nico Riva, Jim Rexford, Billy Gerard, Gary Charles, Jr., Geoff Ve Zain, and Terry Wentz.

Luther was born August 9, 1947 in Greenroad, KY, the son of Luther and Martha (Mills) Messer.  He married Dora Mills April 25, 1965 in Fount, KY.  Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Dora, of Earlville; a daughter, Margaret (Jim) Ve Zain of Earlville; one granddaughter, Ashley (Dave) Cramer of Earlville; a son in-law, Dave Billings, of Ottawa; brothers, Arvil (Della Mae) Messer of Hinkle, KY, Jimmy (Christine) Messer and Floyd (Faye) Messer, both of Girdler, KY, Dexter (Sue) Messer of Hinkle, KY, and Chester Messer of Cannon, KY; a sister, Helen Haines of Cannon, KY; his goddaughter, Heather Finnegan, of Oswego; as well as many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet Billings; a brother, Johnny Messer; and two sisters, Cledia Jackson and Marie Charles.

Luther attended the Friendly Welcome Baptist Church in Earlville.  He was employed by Joseph Behr in Rockford for 12 years, Del Monte in Mendota for 6 years, and the Illinois Department of Transportation for 4 years as well as Strong and Strong in Earlville and Harold Patterson Lumber in Flat Lick, KY.  He retired from Motor Wheel in Mendota as a fork lift operator.  He was a member of the Earlville Fire Department and Ambulance for 13 years.  Other memberships included the Ottawa Moose Lodge and the Ottawa Lions Club.  In his leisure, Luther enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, and woodworking.  He was a great storyteller and loved country music.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

To share a memory or light a candle, please visit www.gladfelterfuneralhome.com or Gladfelter Funeral Home on Facebook.