James Messmer

James M. Messmer left his earthly body to join his Lord and Savior and the Blessed Mother on Friday, Jan. 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, 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, and she survives in Medina.
His loving four surviving children are Marty and Betsy (Yates) Messmer, Carey; Mark and Beth (Mewhorter) Mullen, Medina; Heidi Messmer, Jensen Beach, Fla.; and Donovan and Nikki (Workley) Mewhorter, Carey.
His pride and joy were his 12 surviving grandchildren, Greg, Lauryn, Matthew, Taylor, Amanda, Alyssa, Hunter, Marcus, Madison, Samantha, Brandon and Mason; along with his 17 great-grandchildren; and one 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, 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.
Jim and Leslie left Carey in 1995 to retire to Estero, Fla., where they made many more lifetime friends. In 2010, they returned to Ohio to live with family in Medina, before Jim moved to the Medina Meadows Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Facility of Medina, where he resided the past seven years. He made very good friends with the 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, 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, Carey, from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 17. The mass of Christian burial will 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, and St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Medina.
Arrangements were handled by Carlson Funeral Home, Medina.