Kathryn Messerly

KATHRYN MESSERLY, 83, of rural Janesville, Iowa, died at her home on Tuesday, May 1, 2007. She was born August 11, 1923 in Panora, Iowa, the daughter of Arthur and Mary Elizabeth (Ferguson) Allen. Kathryn married John R. Messerly on May 22, 1943 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He preceded her in death on March 11, 1979. Kathryn was a graduate of Glidden High School and Iowa State Teachers College (UNI). She was an elementary school teacher at Finchford Community School and farmed with her husband near Finchford for many years. Kathryn taught Sunday School and Bible School, and was the founder of the Good News Club at Finchford Community Bible Church. She was a member of Gideon's International, Farm Bureau, Finchford Cemetery Association, and was a 4-H leader.

Survivors include three sons, Maj. John Allen (Susan) Messerly, USAF retired, of Altus, Oklahoma, David (Rita) Messerly of Finchford, Iowa and Dean Messerly of Steamboat Rock, Iowa; three daughters, Mary Lou (Gordon) Eastman of Finchford, Margaret (Dan) Lee of Waterloo, Iowa and Sarah (Bob) O'Malley of Bella Vista, Arkansas; eleven grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren; a brother, Robert (Sherry) Allen of Ames, Iowa, and two sisters, Dorothy (Ted) Cuvelier of Kesley, Iowa and Ruth (Bob) Nichols of Dover, Delaware.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents and husband, an infant son, and a brother, Edward Allen.

Funeral services will be 3:00 pm Saturday, May 5, 2007, at Finchford Community Bible Church, with interment at Finchford Cemetery. Visitation will be 58:00 pm Friday at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home and one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to the church.