
She attended Liberty High School. On Labor Day, September 6, 1948, after the thrashing was finished for the day, Mary and Charles Henry Messner were united in marriage in the East Point Church. He was a farmer, and they worked side by side on the dairy farm until retiring in 1989. They continued raising beef cattle after the dairy cows were gone. Mary also worked at the Liberty Elementary School cafeteria for a while.
Mary was a lifelong member of the Ebenezer United Methodist Church in East Point and the East Point Sunday School. She taught the children’s Sunday school class for many years. Mary was a member of the Pollyanna Class and the Ladies Aide. Other memberships included the Old East Point Cemetery Association, the Sebring Grange No. 1047 and the Pomona and State Granges. She was a life-time member of the Liberty Volunteer Fire Company and a very active member of their Auxiliary.
Both Mary and Charles traveled to Florida twice with volunteers after Hurricane Andrew went through to help with the restoration after all the devastation. Mary also had a green thumb; she could grow beautiful flowers and was always able to winter-over many plants from the outside.
Surviving are her children; Darlene (Frederick) Smith, Cogan Station, Mary Esther (Larry) Zimmerman and Sheldon (Martha) Messner all of Roaring Branch, Allan Lee (Mary Martha) Messner, Williamsport and son-in-law Robert Groover, Watsontown; 11 grandchildren; Brian (Shani) Groover, Christopher (Allison) Zimmerman, Debra Ann Groover (Charles Palmer), Todd (Staphanie) Zimmerman, Samuel Messner, Grant (Amber) Messner, Laura Lee (Joel) Harrison, Mark Allan (Jacqueline) Messner, Valerie (William) Baker, Molly Person and Emily (Steve) Ulrich; 24 great grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren, six siblings; Russell (Betty) Beck, Lakeland, GA, Hartford Beck, Horseheads, NY, Helen Antes, Gillett, William (Phyllis) Beck, Canton, George (Florence) Beck, Ralston and Harry (Virginia) Beck, Muncy. There are also many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mary was predeceased by her loving husband of 63 years, Charles, on March 26, 2012, a daughter, Emma Catherine Groover in 2014, three grandchildren; Joel and Jacob Messner and Morgan Griffus, two siblings; Carl Beck and Catherine Fulmer, two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law; Howard Antes, Robert Fulmer and Alice E. Beck.
Funeral service was held Aug. 14, at East Point Church with Pastor Mark Dodson and Pastor Thomas Harmic officiating.
Burial followed in East Point Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Old East Point Cemetery Association, c/o L. Zimmerman at 3 Krise Rd. Roaring Branch, PA 17765, the Ebenezer United Methodist Church c/o S. Guillaume, P.O. Box 43 Liberty, PA 16930 or the Liberty Vol. Fire Co., c/o W. Wroblewski at Mines Lane, Roaring Branch, PA 17765.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Pepper Funeral Home, Canton.
Condolences at www.pepperfuneralhomes.com