Richard A. Messner

Richard A. Messner, age 77, passed away September 15, 2013 at his home after he courageously fought congestive heart disease for many years. He was a caring and loving husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. Richard was born November 3, 1935 in Parnell, Missouri to the late Emmett and Chloe (Spoonemore) Messner. He graduated from Parnell High School in 1953 and then married Janice Bond. For many years, Richard enjoyed refurbishing and repairing John Deere Lawn and Garden Tractors, which started as a hobby and developed into a small business. His easy unselfish manner earned him many friends in the business. He was a very positive person and his favorite saying was its no hill for a climber. He retired from the Iowa Department of Transportation in 1997 and previously worked as a heavy equipment operator with the operating engineers union and Wellman Construction. He was the mayor of Neola for 9 years and served on the City Council; volunteered on the fire and rescue squad for several years. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Raymond, Calvin, Clifton and Grover; sisters-in-law, Hazel Messner and Bonnie Messner; 3 nieces and 1 great niece. Richard is survived by his wife, Janice Jan Messner; daughter and son-in-law, Paula & Tim Schnitker; granddaughter, Bambi Boedeker and her husband, Eric; 2 great grandsons, Tyson and Davis; sister-in-law, Mary Nobel and her husband, Jerry; many nieces and nephews. Funeral service is Thursday 11AM at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Visitation will be during the hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow the service in the community room at Hoy-Kilnoski. Interment is in the Neola Township Cemetery that afternoon. Memorials are suggested to Broadway United Methodist Church or Neola Fire and Rescue.