WEDDINGS: MESSMER-NICKELL

BENTON, Mo. -- Rebecca Anne Messmer and 2nd Lt. Shawn David Nickell were married June 3, 2000, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. The Rev. James Seyer performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Beth Beardslee. Vocalists were Joan Kirby of Benton, David Dorman and Emmit Pruitt of Orlando, Fla. Music was also provided by the Sikeston High School String Quintet, directed by Gaye French.

Parents of the bride are Mr. and Mrs. Walter Messmer of Benton. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Chunn of West Plains, Mo., and Mr. and Mrs. Steve Nickell of Lexington, Mo.

The bride was escorted by her father.

Maid of honor was Sarah Messmer, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Melinda Gilpin of Commerce, Mo., cousin of the bride; Gina Parenteau of Jackson, Mo.; and Lisa Erni of Alexandria, La.

Brian Carter of Oxford, Miss., served the groom as best man. Groomsmen were Matthew Younger, cousin of the groom, and Mark Munger, both of Sikeston, Mo.; and Matthew Messmer of St. Louis, brother of the bride. Ushers were Scott Nickell of Lexington, brother of the groom, and John Murrah of Benton.

Candlelighters were Celeste Largent of Blodgett and Cindy Hebert of Louisiana.

Flower girl was Shelby Nichols, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Nichols of Harrison, Ark. Ringbearer was Seth Nickell of Lexington, brother of the groom.

Following the ceremony, a dinner and dance was held at Banquets Beyond the Bay in Sikeston. Mindy Haynes of St. Louis and Judy Cooper of Oxford attended the guest book, handed out programs, and were servers.

The groom's mother and stepfather hosted the rehearsal dinner June 2.

Mrs. Nickell is a senior at the University of Mississippi-Oxford, majoring in political science. She expects to be commissioned in the U.S. Army in May 2001.

The groom received a degree in political science in May, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He is a gold bar recruiter in the Military Science Department at the University of Mississippi-Oxford. On completion of his infantry officer basic course and ranger school, he will be stationed with the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, N.C.

After a wedding trip to Pass Christian, Miss., the couple is residing in Oxford.