Obituary for Donald Messmer
Donald C. Messmer, 92, of Erie, passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on Saturday, February 13, 2021.
He was born in Erie on November 16, 1928, a son of the late, Edwin J. and Florence G. (Berchtold) Messmer.
Don graduated from Cathedral Prep High School with the Class of 1948. He proudly served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War and represented the values of "The Greatest Generation That Ever Was.” Don worked in many positions for Bucyrus Erie, retiring after 33 years as Quality Control Supervisor. He was a devoted husband and father to his family, always willing to help neighbors and offer assistance. Don married his “honey” Helen in 1956. His greatest joy was his family. Sunday drives to experience the local attractions were always a real treat as he loved to explore the road less traveled!
Don was quite the handyman, having designed and built the family home. He renovated and remodeled it several times! Don was a huge fan of Duke basketball and Notre Dame football. He golfed into his late eighties and could be found hitting the ball around with his children at Lake Pleasant on Sunday mornings. Along with a love of golf, Don hunted and played tennis in his younger years. His love of cookies, pie, cake and ice cream was legendary.
He possessed a unique personality and wit that connected with people. In his eyes, no one was a stranger. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, Blessed Sacrament Ushers, Zukor Club, and Quarter Century Club for Bucyrus Erie.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his treasured wife, Helen (Peterson) Messmer, siblings, Edwin Messmer and Gerald Messmer, brother-in-law, Richard Trapp, and sister-in-laws, Mary Louise Messmer and Coletta Messmer
Don is survived by his five daughters, Linda Paterniti (Tom), Susan Tirak, Janet Adams (Paul), Barb Spaeder (Dave), and Sharon Dugan (Mike), his only son, Donald Messmer (Kelly) grandchildren, Lindsay and Brittany Paterniti, Jenny Tirak, Danielle Graham (Joey), Amy Montano (Ivan), Brett Adams (Rachael), Kelley Chevalier (Joe), Katie Brown (Jared) and Dave Spaeder (Amanda), Patrick Dugan, Andrew Dugan (Jessica), Bryan and Rachelle Messmer, eight great-grandchildren, and siblings, Bertrand Messmer (Billie) and Mary Ann Trapp. Donald will be greatly missed by his loving family.
Friends may call on Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Church from 10:30 am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11 am. Burial will be private in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is handling the arrangements. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry (1626 West 26th St, Erie, PA 16508). Due to COVID, the family wants everyone to feel comfortable and the service will be live-streamed by Kloecker’s Funeral Home for those who want to attend remotely. Your love and prayers are all that is needed.
He was born in Erie on November 16, 1928, a son of the late, Edwin J. and Florence G. (Berchtold) Messmer.
Don graduated from Cathedral Prep High School with the Class of 1948. He proudly served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War and represented the values of "The Greatest Generation That Ever Was.” Don worked in many positions for Bucyrus Erie, retiring after 33 years as Quality Control Supervisor. He was a devoted husband and father to his family, always willing to help neighbors and offer assistance. Don married his “honey” Helen in 1956. His greatest joy was his family. Sunday drives to experience the local attractions were always a real treat as he loved to explore the road less traveled!
Don was quite the handyman, having designed and built the family home. He renovated and remodeled it several times! Don was a huge fan of Duke basketball and Notre Dame football. He golfed into his late eighties and could be found hitting the ball around with his children at Lake Pleasant on Sunday mornings. Along with a love of golf, Don hunted and played tennis in his younger years. His love of cookies, pie, cake and ice cream was legendary.
He possessed a unique personality and wit that connected with people. In his eyes, no one was a stranger. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, Blessed Sacrament Ushers, Zukor Club, and Quarter Century Club for Bucyrus Erie.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his treasured wife, Helen (Peterson) Messmer, siblings, Edwin Messmer and Gerald Messmer, brother-in-law, Richard Trapp, and sister-in-laws, Mary Louise Messmer and Coletta Messmer
Don is survived by his five daughters, Linda Paterniti (Tom), Susan Tirak, Janet Adams (Paul), Barb Spaeder (Dave), and Sharon Dugan (Mike), his only son, Donald Messmer (Kelly) grandchildren, Lindsay and Brittany Paterniti, Jenny Tirak, Danielle Graham (Joey), Amy Montano (Ivan), Brett Adams (Rachael), Kelley Chevalier (Joe), Katie Brown (Jared) and Dave Spaeder (Amanda), Patrick Dugan, Andrew Dugan (Jessica), Bryan and Rachelle Messmer, eight great-grandchildren, and siblings, Bertrand Messmer (Billie) and Mary Ann Trapp. Donald will be greatly missed by his loving family.
Friends may call on Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Church from 10:30 am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11 am. Burial will be private in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is handling the arrangements. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry (1626 West 26th St, Erie, PA 16508). Due to COVID, the family wants everyone to feel comfortable and the service will be live-streamed by Kloecker’s Funeral Home for those who want to attend remotely. Your love and prayers are all that is needed.