Messer, Bobby Neal

July 31, 1938 - October 1, 2013

Bobby Neal Messer, of Viola, son of the late George Walter Messer and Olive Gwendolyn Downs Messer, was born July 31, 1938 in Galena, KS. He died Oct. 1, 2013 at Community Medical Center of Izard County in Calico Rock, at the age of 75 years 2 months and 1 day.

He was united in marriage to Dollie May Campbell on Feb. 26, 1960 in Kansas City, MO. To this union, four children were born. He served his country in the Missouri National Guard and the United States Marine Corps. He was a bus driver for KCATA for thirty years. He was a licensed and ordained minister and deacon and a member of the First Baptist Church of Viola.

Survivors include his wife, Dollie Messer of the family home in Viola; his children, Sherry Ettinger and husband Alan of Kansas City, MO., Natalie Hines and husband Bryon of Kansas City, MO., Kenneth Messer and wife Denise of Greenwood, SC., and Patricia Messer of Viola; his grandchildren: Kelly Alexander and husband John, KarenJezowski and husband Rodger, Alecia Hines, David Ettinger and wife Camille, Ashley Hines, Christopher Messer and wife Rissa, Blaine Hines and wife Nhung, and Christen Messer; great-grandchildren: Chandler Jezowski, Isabelle Alexander, Jacob Dodson, Nicholas Jezowski, Hyacin Hines, Elijah Ettinger, Jeremiah Messer and Holly Alexander; one sister, Betty Jean Walker of Lees Summit, MO, and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by one sister, Virginia Lee Messer, and his father and mother.

Services are Saturday, Oct 5, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Viola beginning at 10 am with burial to follow in Elizabeth Cemetery under the direction of Cox-Blevins Funeral Home of Salem. Visitation is Friday from 6 to 8 pm at Cox-Blevins Chapel. Pallbearers are: Bryon Hines, Blaine Hines, David Ettinger, John Alexander, Rodger Jezowski and Elwin Wray. Honorary pallbearers are Jacob Dodson and Nicholas Jezowski. Memorials may be made to the Viola First Baptist Church.