1945
Melvin
2016
Melvin Kermit Messer
March 17, 1945 — October 29, 2016
The Rev. Melvin Kermit Messer, 71, entered into Heaven on Saturday, October 29, 2016, passing away peacefully in his home with his family.
Melvin suffered a near-fatal heart attack in 1999, flat-lining for a few minutes before nurses successfully revived him, but God granted him an extra 17 years with his family. He battled COPD and Black Lung for a decade or more.
A St. Patrick’s Day baby, Melvin was born on March 17, 1945, in Julian. He was a 1963 graduate of Scott High School. He worked as a coal miner for Sharples Coal and Eastern Associated Coal and then as a technician and troubleshooter for Delta Electric.
However, his most important job was serving the Lord. Melvin preached in churches throughout Southern West Virginia and pastored churches throughout Boone County, including Brown’s Branch Free Will Baptist Church, Gordon Community Church, Atha Chapel, Meadow Fork Free Will Baptist Church, Hilltop Chapel, and Star of Bethlehem Free Will Baptist Church. Melvin also sang in the gospel group “Saving Grace” with his brothers and sisters in Christ, Rick and Jean Lucas and Kelly Farley. He also sang in other churches and with other groups throughout Southern West Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Lorraine Messer; his brothers, Billy, Kenny, and Pete Messer; and his son, Andy Messer.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara Messer, of Madison; his son and daughter-in-law David and Tonya Messer, of Williamson; his son and daughter-in-law Jacob and Amanda Messer, of Madison; his grandchildren, Elijah Messer, Justin Green, Gage Messer, Dane Messer, William “W.D.” Messer, Kayle Messer, Caleb Messer, and Lauren Ward, all of Madison, and Connor Messer, of Williamson; his brother, Joe Messer, of MacCorkle; his sisters, Gladys Duty, of Foster, and Kitty Fairchild, of Fairborn, Ohio; and his best friend whom he loved like a brother, David Scott, of Foster.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at Handley Funeral Home, Danville. The Rev. Layton Lockhart and the Rev. Phillip Meade will officiate the service. Saving Grace, Brady Bryant, and Buddy Skeens will sing. Burial will follow in Fankhouser Cemetery, Madison.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Melvin suffered a near-fatal heart attack in 1999, flat-lining for a few minutes before nurses successfully revived him, but God granted him an extra 17 years with his family. He battled COPD and Black Lung for a decade or more.
A St. Patrick’s Day baby, Melvin was born on March 17, 1945, in Julian. He was a 1963 graduate of Scott High School. He worked as a coal miner for Sharples Coal and Eastern Associated Coal and then as a technician and troubleshooter for Delta Electric.
However, his most important job was serving the Lord. Melvin preached in churches throughout Southern West Virginia and pastored churches throughout Boone County, including Brown’s Branch Free Will Baptist Church, Gordon Community Church, Atha Chapel, Meadow Fork Free Will Baptist Church, Hilltop Chapel, and Star of Bethlehem Free Will Baptist Church. Melvin also sang in the gospel group “Saving Grace” with his brothers and sisters in Christ, Rick and Jean Lucas and Kelly Farley. He also sang in other churches and with other groups throughout Southern West Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Lorraine Messer; his brothers, Billy, Kenny, and Pete Messer; and his son, Andy Messer.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara Messer, of Madison; his son and daughter-in-law David and Tonya Messer, of Williamson; his son and daughter-in-law Jacob and Amanda Messer, of Madison; his grandchildren, Elijah Messer, Justin Green, Gage Messer, Dane Messer, William “W.D.” Messer, Kayle Messer, Caleb Messer, and Lauren Ward, all of Madison, and Connor Messer, of Williamson; his brother, Joe Messer, of MacCorkle; his sisters, Gladys Duty, of Foster, and Kitty Fairchild, of Fairborn, Ohio; and his best friend whom he loved like a brother, David Scott, of Foster.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at Handley Funeral Home, Danville. The Rev. Layton Lockhart and the Rev. Phillip Meade will officiate the service. Saving Grace, Brady Bryant, and Buddy Skeens will sing. Burial will follow in Fankhouser Cemetery, Madison.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Melvin Kermit Messer, please visit our flower store.
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