Frances M. Messner
March 6,1928-April 5, 2009
By Staff
Frances M. Messner, age 81, of Giles Road, Niles and formerly of Yankee Street, Niles, died at 8:48 p.m. Sunday, April 5, 2009, in Niles at her home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2009, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, with Linda Van Dyke of Luvability Ministries, officiating.
Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home.
She was born on March 6, 1928, in Three Rivers, to lewis Harrison Owen and Dora LaVesta Welsh Owen. She had lived in Cassopolis since 1947.
She was a member of the Niles Association for Handicapped, TOPPS No. 1549. She enjoyed reading mysteries, sewing and knitting.
On Oct. 24, 1947, in Cassopolis, she married Louis E. Messner, who died on Oct. 11, 1992.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Mark Messner, who died March 20, 2006.
Surviving family includes a son, Chris (Cathy) Messner of Niles; granddaughters, Chandra Stafford and Holly (Mark) Gross, step-grandson, Jeff (Charidy) Barnes, great-grandchildren, Daniel Stafford, Charlie Stafford and Jonathon Gross; step-great-grandchildren, Nicole Barnes and Jacob Barnes; a brother, Lyle Owen of Florida and several half-sisters and brothers.
Memorials may be made to Lakeland Hospital, Niles.
Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.