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John A Messer

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Birth	:	26 Sep 1922 Bridger, Carbon County, Montana, USA
Death	:	10 Feb 2012 Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Saint Anthony Catholic Cemetery, Laurel, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate	:	45.6939650, -108.7685320
Description	:	John A. Messer, of Billings, died early Friday morning Feb. 10, 2012 having been surrounded by his family. John wrote about his life...."was born in a farmhouse several miles south of Bridger, Mont., on Sept. 26, 1922, the sixth of nine children. Shortly thereafter the family moved into Bridger for three years and then moved to a farm north of Belfry. John attended Golden School and Tucker School and then Belfry. After Belfry, there was a year at Lodge Grass. John then spent a year in the CCCs (Civilian Conservation Corps) in Glacier Park at Belton, Mont. A short time... Read More	John A. Messer, of Billings, died early Friday morning Feb. 10, 2012 having been surrounded by his family. John wrote about his life...."was born in a farmhouse several miles south of Bridger, Mont., on Sept. 26, 1922, the sixth of nine children. Shortly thereafter the family moved into Bridger for three years and then moved to a farm north of Belfry. John attended Golden School and Tucker School and then Belfry. After Belfry, there was a year at Lodge Grass. John then spent a year in the CCCs (Civilian Conservation Corps) in Glacier Park at Belton, Mont. A short time later he became employed at the Northern Pacific car shops in Laurel, Mont. He was drafted into the army and took anti-aircraft HOMM basic training in Fort Bliss, Texas in 1944. He was sent overseas into the Mediterranean Theater of Operation in North Africa, Southern France and Italy, returning to the US after World War II and honorably discharged. John tried various jobs until entering the Billings Postal Service in 1948 and retiring in 1980. John met Cecelia Ann Lutgen at the St Patrick's Church Patrician Club and they were married in January 1949. He spent his retirement gardening, traveling, playing and recording music, visiting children and grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents Andrew and Magdalena (Schwan) Messer; sisters Eva, Elizabeth, Mary, Delores; brothers Nick, Peter, Eugene, and Albert; and grandson Kirk Thornburg. He is survived by his wife Cecelia; daughters Gloria (Doug) Iams, Sharon Thornburg, Donna (Gene) Holden, and Cynthia (Don) Epperson; sons Gary (Sharon Lynn) Messer and Gregory Messer; grandchildren Michael (Maria) Iams, Emily (Dax) Simek, Sarah Iams, Misty Thornburg, Hannah (Adam) Porcella, Benjamin Holden, Rebekah (Jeremy) Carlson, Jonathan Messer, Jason (Melissa) Messer, Stephanie Messer, Chelsea Messer, Joseph Epperson, Anna Epperson, and Luke Epperson; and great grandchildren Mia Iams, Andrew Iams, Trask Thornburg, Collin Messer, and Georgia Simek" We add: John was a quiet, unassuming man with a quick wit and sense of humor. He was a hard worker and a self-taught jack-of-all-trades. He enjoyed vegetable gardening and his gardens produced an abundant harvest yearly that he always shared with family, friends and neighbors. This continued even through to this last season. If his children or grandchildren complained that their work was too hard, he would remind them that theirs was not nearly as tough as his work as a child hired to hoe beets in the beet fields in the hot Montana summer sun. He was a past commander and lifetime member of the VFW as well as a member of the American Legion. As a soldier he remembered the rough Atlantic Ocean voyage when he was shipped overseas - his very first view of the ocean. He had been a member of Holy Rosary and St. Thomas Parish. He provided for all six of his children to have a Christian education. He enjoyed good waltz and polka music, and he and his wife Cecelia danced through 63 years of marriage. The family would like to thank the staff of Hansen Cottage at St. John's and the staff at Riverstone Hospice for their kind and compassionate care in his last months. He was loved by many and will be sorely missed. Dad, we will dance with you again on the other side. Rite of Committal will follow the reception at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery in Laurel, with military honors.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John A Messer's memorial?
John A Messer's memorial is located at: Saint Anthony Catholic Cemetery, Laurel, Yellowstone County, USA.
When did John A Messer death?
John A Messer death on 10 Feb 2012 in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John A Messer's memorial?
Latitude: 45.6939650
Longitude: -108.7685320

Family Members:

Parent

Andrew A “Andy” Messer

(1883 - 1977)

Magdalena M Schwan Messer

(1894 - 1986)

Spouse

Cecelia Ann Lutgen Messer

(1926 - 2020)

Siblings

Elizabeth Kathryn Messer Kraft

(1911 - 1996)

Mary M Messer

(1914 - 1928)

Eugene Messer

(1926 - 1938)

Albert J “Birdie” Messer

(1929 - 2001)

Delores Messer

(1935 - 1938)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Anthony Catholic Cemetery
Laurel, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6939650, -108.7685320

2. Laurel Cemetery
Laurel, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6944008, -108.7692032

3. Yellowstone National Cemetery
Laurel, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6962050, -108.7726520

4. Pioneer Cemetery
Stillwater County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6575012, -108.8944016

5. Cooke Cemetery
Billings, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7035500, -108.6184500

6. Park City Cemetery
Park City, Stillwater County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6247120, -108.9165690

7. Terrace Gardens Cemetery
Billings, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7733900, -108.6009160

8. Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park
Billings, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7843370, -108.6072460

9. Holy Cross Cemetery
Billings, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7400017, -108.5552979

10. Sunset Memorial Gardens
Billings, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7710991, -108.5622025

11. Mountview Cemetery
Billings, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7667007, -108.5588989

12. Beth Aaron Cemetery
Billings, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7770200, -108.5589710

13. Calvary Cemetery
Billings, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7780991, -108.5597000

14. Absaroka Beartooth Columbarium
Billings, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7708800, -108.5355600

15. Saint Stephens Episcopal Church Columbarium
Billings, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7924000, -108.5478000

16. Rockvale Cemetery
Rockvale, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4888770, -108.8626350

17. Luther Sage Kelly Gravesite
Billings, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7980000, -108.4888000

18. Boothill Cemetery
Billings, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.8025017, -108.4800034

19. Riverside Cemetery
Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.8218994, -108.4449997

20. Joliet Cemetery
Joliet, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4799995, -108.9985962

21. Carbonado Cemetery
Joliet, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4585991, -109.0139008

22. Helm Memorial Cemetery
Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.9888992, -108.7750015

23. Vermandel Ranch Cemetery
Billings, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7057200, -108.3378200

24. Plenty Coups State Park Cemetery
Pryor, Big Horn County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4287870, -108.5491920