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Marion Paul Messman

Marion Paul Messman

Marion Paul Messman 94, McHenry, formerly of Woodstock, died Sunday, March 4, 2018, at his home.

He was born Oct. 5, 1923, to Fredrick and Louise (Hornung) Messman in Sadorus.

In October 1946, he married Grace Thompson.

He moved with his family of 11 brothers and sisters to Woodstock when he was 6 years old. He attended Lutheran and public schools in Woodstock before enlisting in the U.S. Army at age 19. He spent most of his time during World War II in the Pacific theater, serving as an engineer. In January 1946, he returned home and met his wartime pen pal, Grace Thompson. They were married in October of that year.

During the next 40 years, he worked at Woodstock Die Cast, Luton Paints, and other part-time jobs to help provide for a family of six kids. In his spare time, he hand-built their first home on Clay Street. He also enjoyed horseshoes and bowling. One of his recent highlights in life was taking an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., to tour the war monuments.

Survivors include his wife; children, Jerry, Ed, Steve (Diane), Peter and Elizabeth; grandchildren, Salina Messman, Hannah Messman, Tony Franke, Briana (Grant) Kolhase, Tom Messman, Autumn Messman, Christopher Messman, Gary Fike and Katie Fike; and great-grandchildren, Lily and Ella Franke and Hadley Kolhase.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Brian;  and seven brothers and four sisters.

The visitation and funeral were March 9 at Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. Interment was in McHenry County Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Woodstock VFW or JourneyCare Hospice Foundation.

Marion Paul Messman

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