OBIT: John Wesley Messinger, 1916, Hanover, York County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/ _______________________________________________ REV. MESSINGER IS DEAD FORMER PASTOR OF GRACE U. E. CHURCH DIED AFTER LONG ILLNESS. Had Been in The Ministry 37 Years, And Until His Last Illness Made a Record For Faithfully Filling His Appointments. Rev. John Wesley Messinger died at his home, No. 512 York street, at 11:25 p.m. Monday, May 22d following an illness of three years from cancer of the bladder. He was aged 65 years, 6 months and 26 days. The deceased was operated upon July 6th, 1915, and while never having recovered fully from the operation, did not take his bed for the last time until Saturday morning after he had conducted family worship. He preached his last sermon on New Year’s Day, in Grace United Evangelical church, Hanover, which was his last charge. Rev. Messinger was born in Danville, Pa., the son of the late Peter and Hannah Messinger. He entered the ministry 37 years ago and until his last illness, had missed but two services on account of sickness. He never missed a service during the first 27 years of his ministry on this account. Rev. Messinger came to Grace United Evangelical church in March, 1915, from Jersey Shore, Pa., but was compelled to resign from this pastorate last March on account of ill health. The deceased is survived by his widow, who was Miss Mary Reichard, of Columbia, county, Pa. They were united in marriage 43 years ago. There are five children surviving: Miss Emma D. Messinger, at home; Mrs. B. W. Kerstetter, of Scranton; Miss Annie Messinger, of York; Mrs. H. A. Kless, of Meyertown, and J. F. Messinger, of York. There are also three sisters and one brother surviving: W. H. Messinger, of Mt. Carmel, Pa.; Mrs. Charles Friehoefer and Mrs. Edward Welliver, of Danville, Pa., and Mrs. James Leighow, of Woodland, Pa. Funeral services Thursday afternoon in Grace U. E. church at 2:30 o’clock, Rev. H. A. Snook, pastor, officiating. On Friday morning the body was taken to Berwick, Pa., leaving here at 5:43 a.m. over the P. R. R. Services were held in Bower memorial U. E. church, that place, and were conducted by Presiding Elder Rev. J. A. Hollenbaugh. Interment was made in the Berwick cemetery. The Hanover Herald – Saturday, May 27, 1916