Charles L. Messer

      Charles L. Messer, 68, of rural Winfield, died Thursday evening, Jan. 18, 2001, at his home.

      The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 22, at the Olds United Church of Christ with the Revs. Harold Schnedler and Jonna Jensen officiating. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, at the Honts Funeral Home in Winfield. There will be no family visitation at the funeral home but the family will meet friends at their own home for those who wish to stop. Private family burial will be in the Winfield-Scott Township Cemetery, prior to the service, with graveside military rites by the Olds American Legion. Memorials have been established for the Olds United Church of Christ and for Henry County Hospice.

      Mr. Messer was born Aug. 3, 1932, in Rubio, the son of Lawrence and Pearl Haifley Messer. He married Delores Spangler on Dec. 26, 1954 in Winfield. A 1950 graduate of Olds High School, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, worked for Olds Elevator for 17 years, and served on its board for several years. He was a retired farmer and had been a distributor for Mountain Man Candy for the past five years. He was a member of the Olds United Church of Christ where he was a high school Sunday School teacher, youth fellowship sponsor, Willing Workers president for many years, and church trustee. He also coached little league baseball when his children were young and served as a Scout leader. He was a member of the Henry County ASCS board, serving as its chairman for nine years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, family and church.

      Survivors include his wife; two sons, Chuck and Steve Messer, both of Winfield; a daughter, Deanne Gaffey of Parnell; three sisters, Bernice Lee of Winfield, Fern Howell of Columbus Junction and Wanda Schultz of Crawfordsville; five grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant twin granddaughters.