Elda R. “Runt” Messner, 99, of Nashville, died peacefully Tuesday evening at the Holmes County Home, Holmesville.
Mrs. Messner was born May 4, 1916 in Pickens, West Virginia, the daughter of the late Charles T. and Nellie Jane (Harris) Simmons. She lived in the Nashville area most of her life, retiring in 1980 from the Nashville Post Office following 20 years of employment.
Mrs. Messner was a member of Nashville United Methodist Church and the church choir. She served many years as a member of the Nashville Village Council, the Nashville Cemetery Board, was the clerk of the Western Holmes Fire District, and was a proud member of the D.A.R. On Feb. 25, 1938 she married Ernest L. Messner and he died April 30, 1973.
She is survived by her three daughters, Rosemary A. “Rosie” Lewis of Mansfield, Virginia L. “Ginger” Kasamis of Elkhart, IN , and Merry Ann Drouhard of Fredericksburg; 14 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and her brother, Herbert E. Simmons of Glenmont. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Charles L. Messner, two brothers, Esley and Ellis Simmons, and three sisters, Maude Sharp, Beulah “Boots” Kirkland and Josie Chapman.
Funeral services will be Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015 at 2 p.m. in Nashville United Methodist Church with Rev. Larry Carnes officiating. Burial will follow in Nashville Cemetery.
Friends may call Saturday, Oct. 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. in Lindsey Funeral Home, Loudonville. Memorial contributions may be given to Holmes County Home, 7260 State Route 83, Holmesville, Ohio 44633. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.Byerly-Lindsey.com.
