JAMES MARTIN MESSMER

James M. Messmer left his earthly body to join his Lord and Savior and the Blessed Mother on January 3, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. He was surrounded by an abundance of love from his wife, his children, and his grandchildren.

Jim was born to Virgilia and George Messmer in Carey, Ohio on July 9, 1941. They preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by infant son, Tony, his brother, Roger, and his sister, Roberta Risner.

He married Carla Clark in Carey on June 5, 1965, and they were divorced.

Jim married Leslie Ann Keister on June 23, 1975, in Carey, Ohio and she survives in Medina, Ohio.

His loving 4 surviving children are Marty and Betsy (Yates) Messmer of Carey, Mark and Beth (Mewhorter) Mullen, Medina, Oh, Heidi Messmer, Jensen Beach, Florida, and Donovan and Nikki (Workley) Mewhorter of Carey.

His pride and joy were his 12 surviving grandchildren, Greg, Lauryn, Matthew, Taylor, Amanda, Alyssa, Hunter, Marcus, Madison, Samantha, Brandon, Mason, along with his 17 great grandchildren, and 1 great grandson on the way.

Jim graduated from Carey High School in 1959 where he was an outstanding athlete for the Carey Blue Devils. He was also a decorated Marine Corpsman and served from 1959-1963.

He then went to work for American Standard in Tiffin, Ohio where he was a kiln placer and a member of the Glass and Pottery Union for 30 years.

He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the VFW, both in Carey, Ohio.

Jim and Leslie left Carey in 1995 to retire to Estero, Florida, where they made many more lifetime friends. In 2010, they returned to Ohio to live with family in Medina, Ohio, before Jim moved to the Medina Meadows Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility of Medina, Ohio where he resided the past 7 years. He made very good friends with the wonderful staff of Medina Meadows where his daily presence will be very much missed.

He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Consolation Church, Carey, Ohio and a 15-year member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Medina.

The family will receive visitors in the vestibule of Our Lady of Consolation Church, 315 Clay St, Carey, OH 43316 from 10-11 a.m. on January 17, 2025. The Mass of Chrisitan Burial will the follow at 11 a.m. and interment of ashes will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery immediately following mass.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Our Lady of Consolation Shrine, Carey, Ohio, and St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Medina, Ohio.

A special thank you to Alicia with Carlson Funeral Home, Medina, Ohio for her guidance and kindness during this most difficult time.