Florence Messer

Florence Messer died Friday, April 6, 2012 at her home in Antigo. She was 94 years old. She was born Aug. 6, 1917 in Carter County, KY, daughter of the late Robert and Viola (Eldridge) Maddix. She married James R. Messer on July 10, 1937 in White Lake. He preceded her in death on Dec. 18, 2009. She worked as a homemaker. She resided with her family in Kenosha for about 20 years before retiring to the Antigo area. Mrs. Messer and her husband were in the ministry together, and they were founding members of Ark of the Lord Church, and also New Life Central Fellowship Church. She was a current member of New Life Central Fellowship Church. She enjoyed flower gardening, stonecraft, doll collecting, and quilting. She also loved music, singing, playing guitar, piano, and bass. Survivors include a daughter, Carol Messer of Antigo; son Rev. Monroe Ervin (Ardith) Messer of Antigo; 7 grandchildren, Scot (Kim) Eldridge of Antigo, Victoria (Mike) Juengermann of Columbia, MO, Pamela Eldridge of Antigo, Kathleen Boron of Canton, OH, Eric (Janet) Messer of Mequon, Jason Messer, and Dillon Messer; 28 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Delores Crady; 2 sons, Carl Messer and Marvin Messer; a granddaughter, Connie Messer; 3 sisters, Ethel Messer, Opal Cline, and Genevieve Poland; and 2 brothers, Jesse Maddix and Woodrow Maddix. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at New Life Central Fellowship Church, with Bishop Herman G. Spencer and Rev. Monroe Ervin Messer officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Sunday at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday at the church. Interment in Elmwood Cemetery will follow the service.