Josephine Messmer

KELSO, Mo. -- Josephine Mary Messmer, 94, of Kelso died Monday, June 25, 2012, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born June 1, 1918, in Chaffee, Mo., to Joseph Andrew and Bertha Theresa Seyer Himmelsbach. She and Leon Joseph Messmer were married Aug. 23, 1941, in Chaffee. He preceded her in death Oct. 9, 1995.

Josephine was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church, St. Ann's Sodality, Kelso Senior Citizens, VFW Post 6407 Ladies Auxiliary, was a volunteer at Saint Francis Medical Center and an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.

Survivors include two sons, Walter (Carol) Messmer of Benton, Mo., Michael Messmer of Dallas; two daughters, Marilyn (Morris) Welsh of Jackson, Diana (Robert) Westrich of Kelso; three sisters, Rosemary Sander of Cape Girardeau, Lorene Kinman of Decatur, Texas, Virginia Compass of South Bend, Ind.; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by a brother, Francis Himmelsbach; a sister, Doretta Schoen; an infant brother; and a sister.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at St. Augustine Church, with parish prayers at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Oliver Clavin as celebrant. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association or St. Augustine Catholic Church Renovation Fund.

www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com