Service measured not by GOLD,
                           but by the GOLDEN RULE

Service measured not by GOLD,
          but by the GOLDEN RULE

330.262.7771

Gary R. Messner, 74, of Wooster passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 16, 2023.

He was born June 10, 1948 in Wooster, the son of Irvin and W. Jean Gamertsfelder Messner.  He married Jeri Lee McCorkle on April 24, 1969 at St. Mary Catholic Church.  He has been reunited with the love of his life who preceded him in death in 2017.  He is also preceded in death by stepmother Barb Messner and step brother David Wood.

Gary’s main purpose in life was his family and friends.  After graduating from Wooster High School, he bravely served in the Army in the Vietnam War.  Upon returning home, he and his wife made a beautiful life for their children and grandchildren.  He was a safety consultant at Frito Lay from which he retired to be an Independent Safety Consultant.  He was a dedicated and loving husband, an incredible dad and was the best grandpa.  Everybody had a friend in Gary.  He was an avid Cleveland sports fan and golf enthusiast.  He was a member of The Mental Health and Recovery Board where he volunteered.  He found importance in service to others.  He will be missed by many.

He is survived by his children Deanna (Neal Pennington) Messner, Joanne Messner and Adam Ciganick; grandchildren Haylie (Josh) Polen and Jasaiah Messner; brother and good friend Steve Messner; brother Charles Messner; sister Pam Messner; step brother John Wood; step sisters Lisa Grayson and Diane Jones; best friend Tim Christopher.  He was a father and grandfather figure to many.

Friends will be received on Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 PM at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home with Pastor Buddy Bevington officiating.

Inurnment will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 1:15 PM at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Rd., Seville.  A procession will leave the funeral home at 12:15PM.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com

17 Comments

  1. Deanna,
    Oscar and I are very sorry to hear of your dads passing. He was like a father figure to some of us that knew him and worked with him. Rest assured,,he was very proud of you. We spoke several times and he always smiled when he said your name.

    Reply
  2. My condolences Adam.

    Reply
  3. Thank you for your service. Condolences to the family.

    Reply
  4. Condolences to the family and friends of Gary. I never met him but have been a good friend of his brother Steve for many years and Adam. He was a friend to the recovering community and was a powerful advocate for the sick and suffering within our community. No doubt he has heard the words of our LORD “ Well done my faithful servant, enter in.”

    Reply
  5. So sad to hear about the passing of Gary.. He was always the nicest & helpful man at Frito-Lay. We both worked many years with him. Always a BIG smile & contagious laugh . May GOD’S love comfort each of you as the healing begins. Rest in Peace good & faithful servant

    Reply
  6. I served with Gary on the Mental Health an Recovery Board for Wayne and Holmes counties. It was my pleasure to meet and spend years on the board with Gary. He was a thoughtful, deep, loving man and had his heart in a place to help others. I will miss him greatly. My deepest condolences to his family.

    Reply
  7. I am so sorry to hear about the passing of a great guy!
    Gary will be missed by many!
    I had the pleasure of sitting with him on the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Wayne and Holmes Counties.
    My deepest condolences.

    Reply
  8. Gary was a great mentor. I followed his path at every meeting of the Mental Health Board. He will be sorrowfully missed.

    Reply
  9. My deepest condolences to Gary’s family and friends. Gary served for many years as a board member on The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Wayne & Holmes Counties and returned for additional terms when needed, while I was the executive director. Gary served with passionate commitment, represented the board in the community, and presented at a statewide conference. His presence will be very missed.

    Reply
  10. My condolences to all of the family. Gary always had a hug and a big smile for me every time I saw him. He and Geri treated me so special when I visited with Amy or they were at her house. I will miss him terribly. He truly was a wonderful man that was willing to help or listen. Hugs and prayers ❤️

    Reply
  11. Steve, I am so very sorry to learn of Gary’s passing. Prayers and blessings to you all during this difficult time.

    Reply
  12. The moment I’m going to miss seeing Gary down at the fair and the show that we had downtown on the square we always talk like Bob hand and laugh we always said Bob hand will never die but now with Gary going I guess he will die we all had a lot of fun back in the fritolay days I’m so sad about the loss and we have to pray for the Family

    Reply
  13. Dear Deanna, Joanne, Steve, Chuck, & Pam and families- was so sorry to hear of the passing of my “Cuz”, as he would always refer to himself. He always had a smile on his face, and ready with a joke! I remember fondly visiting with Gary and Jeri when I was a kid. Good memories, good people. Sending my condolences.

    Reply
  14. Sorry to read of his passing. Prayers for comfort for all his family. He was always very pleasant.

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  15. I’m so truly upset to hear this news. My heart pours out to the Messner family. Gary was one of a kind. A true heart of gold. If you were lucky enough to know Gary, then the pleasure was all yours. The world lost a good person. Heaven is now a greater place. You will be missed. You will never be forgotten.

    Reply
  16. So sad to hear of Gary’s passing. I remember him coaching our basketball team in the St Mary gym and making us laugh as we were running drills. Sending peace and comfort to Joanne and Deanne and his family.

    Reply
  17. Deanna, very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was a great man and I always enjoyed our interactions together. He always had a kind word to say and was so positive about life. My sympathy to you and your family. Peace be with him and you, always.

    Reply

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