William H. Messersmith

Jan. 13, 1923-July 14, 2005

William H. Messersmith, 82, of South Bend, passed away peacefully at 11:10 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2005, in Hospice House surrounded by his family. He was born January 13, 1923, in Plymouth, Ind. to Alonzo T. and Lelia (Burns) Messersmith and had remained a lifelong resident of this community. He graduated from James Whitcomb Riley High School and served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He enlisted January 16, 1943, and was honorably discharged July 19, 1945, as a Sergeant and received the Purple Heart after being wounded in the Battle of the Bulge.

On January 19, 1944, in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, South Bend, he married Lois L. Gillen. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Lois, along with his daughter and son-in-law, Sara and William Hostrawser of Granger; and his son and daughter-in-law, Kent and Linda Messersmith of Niles, Mich. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Amy Hostrawser of South Bend, Adam and Tracy Hostrawser of Inkster, Mich., and Andrew Hostrawser of Indianapolis; three great-grandchildren, Stone and Emmelia Hostrawser of Inkster, Mich., and Kierra Wickizer of South Bend. He is also survived by two nieces, Sue Chesnut of South Bend and Brenda (Steve) Larson of Oak Hill, Va.; and two nephews, Jeff (Mary) Downing of Granger, and Donald (Susan) Gillen of Fairfax, Va.

His parents, and a brother, Raymond Messersmith, preceded him in death.

Mr. Messersmith retired from Allied-Signal in 1987, where he has worked as a Senior Prototype Technician following 21 years of service. He also was employed with Studebaker Corp. for 23 years. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, the Explorers Class and the Men's Bible Study Class of the church. He also served on various committees throughout the years. He was an avid fisherman.

Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 18, in Grace United Methodist Church, 301 2 South Twyckenham Drive. Revs. Hosea Drake and Amy Covington will officiate. Graveside and burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 17, in Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend, and one hour prior to services Monday in the church. Contributions in memory of William H. Messersmith may be offered to Grace United Methodist Church or to the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

07/26/2024 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57335850/william-h-messersmith