Robert F Messerly

ROBERT "BOB" F. MESSERLY, 88, of Waterloo, Iowa, died Sunday, October 8, 2006, at Parkview Nursing & Rehab Center in Waterloo. Bob was born August 12, 1918, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the son of Edward and Essie Messerly. He moved to Finchford when he was 10 years old and attended Finchford school. Bob helped his father in the Messerly General Store. He graduated from Finchford High School in 1936 and worked at Rath Packing Company in Waterloo until his entry into the military in May of 1942. Bob was a medic in the 8th Army Air Force 486th Bomb Group stationed in England during World War II. He was discharged from service in October of 1945 and then attended Iowa State College (ISU). Bob married Lila Jean Hood in 1948 and returned to Finchford to assume management of the family store. There they raised 3 children. He enjoyed hunting and fishing on the West Fork River and camping vacations across the U.S. with his family. Bob was well known for his helpful spirit, his listening ear, and his generosity to all. He retired from the store operation in 1981 after 32 years of service to his community. Lila Jean died September 22, 1975. Bob married Gladys Christiansen in May of 1982. He was a founding member of Finchford Community Bible Church. After retirement, he and Gladys were members of Janesville United Methodist Church. Bob was very active in his community as a 4H leader, church board member, Black Hawk County Historical Society member, and unofficial mayor of Finchford. He was a long time member of the Janesville Post of the American Legion and the I.O.O.F. In retirement, Bob and his second wife Gladys traveled extensively, devoting their time to their widely scattered family of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren throughout the U.S. and Europe. They enjoyed many camping adventures. They spent 15 winters as snowbirds in Apache Junction, Arizona.

Survivors include his wife, Gladys, of Waterloo; two sons, Richard "Dick" (Dr. Melissa) Messerly of Garrison, North Dakota and Dr. James (Dr. Susan) Messerly of Birnamwood, Wisconsin; a daughter, Janet Gilliam of Spokane, Washington; two step sons, Marc (Elizabeth) Christiansen of Wagram, North Carolina and Barr (Rose Ann) Christiansen of Jesup, Iowa; two step daughters, Julie (Lee) Toomsen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Janalee (Dr. Douglas) Held of St. Louis, Missouri; eight grandchildren, one great grandchild, ten step grandchildren and five step great grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and first wife Lila Jean; four brothers, Roger, Francis, John and Charles Messerly; a sister, Dorothy, and a son-in-law, Jay Gilliam.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 13, 2006, at the Janesville United Methodist Church, with interment at Finchford Cemetery, Finchford, Iowa, where military honors will be conducted by Janesville American Legion Post 522. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home and for one hour prior to service Friday at the church. Memorials may be directed to Janesville United Methodist Church or Finchford Bible Church.