CALVIN LEE MESSER

DOTHAN. . .Calvin Lee Messer, a resident of Highlands South, Dothan, died Thursday night May 24, 2012, at his home. He was 85.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Sunday, May 27, 2012, in the First Baptist Church of Level Plains with Reverend Roger Stone and Pastor Mike Foreman officiating. Graveside services, with full military honors, will follow in the Meadowlawn Cemetery in Enterprise. Holman-Headland Mortuary is in charge of funeral arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:30 P. M. Sunday in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Level Plains.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice, P.O. Drawer 2127, Dothan, AL. 36302.

Mr. Messer was a native of Newville, son of the late William Wheat Messer and Rosetta McClenny Messer. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy at an early age and served during World War II. Upon discharge from the Navy, Mr. Messer enlisted in the U. S. Air Force and served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He retired from the Air Force in 1967 with the rank of Technical Sergeant. After his retirement from the military, Mr. Messer was employed by U. S. Civil Service at Fort Rucker as a Quality Control Helicopter Inspector. He lived in various locations in the U. S. and overseas while serving in the Air Force and also lived in Daleville and Level Plains prior to moving to Dothan in 2008.

A member of the Disabled American Veterans, Mr. Messer was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Level Plains where he formerly served as a Deacon. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mavis Messer Culp.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Mary Frances Swanson Messer, Dothan; two daughters, Sylvia Stokes and husband, Larry, Dothan; and Susan Anderson and husband, Brett, Dothan; a sister, Joyce Messer DeCerbo and husband, Vincent, Woodstock, VA; four grandchildren, Michele Herring Wagner and husband, Jason, Marcie Herring Lucky, Cevin Lee Medley and wife, Bobbilynn, and James Stokes; five great-grandchildren, Mitchell Lucky (Kaci), Saje Cox, Cody Cox, Caleb Medley and Kaitlyn Medley; a great-great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Lucky; several nieces and nephews including, Carol Culp Abbott and Gail Giles.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Mitchell Lucky, Cody Cox, Jason Wagner, Cevin Medley, Steven Wood and Bobby Jackson.