Warren E. Messmore, 93, of Galesburg, Ill. Died 9:20 p.m. Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Seminary Manor, Galesburg.Warren was born September 7, 1924 in Atkinson, Illinois, the son of Dr. Harry L. and Ella Mae (Richter) Messmore, Sr. He married Betty Morgan on August 11, 1951 in London Mills, Illinois.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, a son, Mark (and Lynndel) Messmore of Galesburg, a brother, Merton Messmore of Rock Island, Illinois, a sister, Shirley Minderhout of Edmonds, Washington, one grandson, Nathan (and Sarah) Messmore, a great grandchild, Conner, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Dr. Harry L. Messmore, Jr., Dr. Gordon Messmore and Wayne Messmore, two sisters, Lucile McGaan and Patsy Wolfe, a step brother, Dale Anderson, and two step sisters, Dorothy White and Marilyn Messmore.
Warren graduated from Walnut Grove Township High School in Altona, Illinois in 1942. He attended Monmouth College, the University of Illinois and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1961 from Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois.
He was a school teacher at Valley High School in Fairfield, Illinois, before moving to Galesburg to operate a service stations. He retired from Butler Manufacturing in 1989, after working as a Foreman for 23 years. He served in the US Navy during WWII in the Pacific. He was a 5 inch Gunners Mate on the U.S.S. Bearss DD 654 and was in the surrender of Japan. Warren was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Galesburg. He was a member of the Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post #285 in Galesburg.
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Pastor Mary Runge will officiate. Military rites will be conducted by the VFW 2257/American Legion 285 honor guard. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg. Visitation will be 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at the chapel. Memorials may be made to Cottage Hospital Intensive Care Unit or Knox County Humane Society. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
