Messerly, Ronald R. 1929-2012

MESSERLY, RICHMAN, SHOOPMAN, SCHARFF, LANG, FLOREA, PORTER, LUDWIG, VINSANT, ANDERSON, LENNON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 4/3/2021 at 07:42:24

Ronald R. Messerly
July 12, 1929 - February 12, 2012
Fort Dodge

Ronald R. Messerly, 82, of Fort Dodge died on Sunday February 12, 2012 at Trinity Regional Medical Center. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday February 15, 2012 at North Lawn Cemetery with full military honors. Per Ron's request there will be no visitation or viewing. Arrangements have been entrusted with Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Ron is survived by his wife Joan; son Michael J. (Linda) of Ankeny; daughters Laura L. (Jim) Richman and Julie J. (Mike) Shoopman both of Fort Dodge; 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Mayme (Scharff-Lang) Messerly; his brothers Elmer, Howard, Earl, Russell, Marvin and Julian; four sisters Marie Florea, Mildred Porter, Erma Ludwig and Verna Vinsant and one grandson Jamie Lennon.

Ron was born on July 12, 1929 on the family farm just east of Fort Dodge in Colfax Township. At an early age the family moved to Fort Dodge. Ron graduated from Senior High and then enlisted in the Air Force in June of 1948. On September 8, 1951 he was married to Joan D. Anderson in Fort Dodge. They lived in Louisiana, North Carolina and settled in Fort Dodge. He spent over 40 years in the military (Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and the Air Force Retired Reserve). He worked as a Material Control Supervisor for the Iowa Air National Guard (133rd Tac Con Sqdn) retiring in 1986.

Ron was considered a natural athlete. In his junior high days he broke and set new city records in swimming. He was acclaimed as one of the best fast pitch softball catchers ever. He is in the Fort Dodge Fast Pitch Hall of Fame and also the State of Iowa Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame. A few hours after their wedding, Ron and Joan left for Phoenix, AZ where Ron was scheduled to play a World Fast Pitch Softball Tournament. He was also selected as an All State Football player in 1947 from a team that only won one game. When in the Air Force he played on both the Base football and softball teams.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ronald R. Messerly please visit our Sympathy Store. ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register 14 Feb 2012.