It is with great sadness that the family of Richard Erwin Messner announces his passing on Sunday December 2, 2018, at the age of 78 years. He was born on December 11, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Ferguson High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Bible College and a master’s degree from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He was an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and pastored churches in Sidonia and Ripley, Tennessee; Fulton and Springfield, Missouri; Chandler, Texas; and Kansas City, Missouri. Richard was honored by the Southern Missouri District of the Assemblies of God in April 2016, for over 50 years of service.
Richard married Carolyn Browning Messner in Olive Branch, Illinois on June 14, 1980. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy Burgett Messner; daughter, Sharon (Sherri) Messner Tuttle; father, Gordon Messner; mother, Florence Severs Messner; sister, Lois Messner Barrett; and brother, James (Jim) Messner. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Browning Messner; daughter, Karen Messner; son-in-law, Charlie Tuttle; grandchildren, Gentry Burton and husband Calvin, Weston Tuttle and Payton Tuttle; great-grandson, Memphis Burton; foster brother, Ron Uhlman and wife Debbie.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3506 North National, Springfield, Missouri, with Reverend Carroll Simmons officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, December 6, 2018 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, December 7, 2018 at White Chapel Cemetery, 5234 State Hwy EE, Springfield, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fire Bibles through Life Publishers.