Jerry L. Messner, 83, of Montpelier passed away Monday, August 26, 2024 at Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  He was born on December 31, 1940 in Montpelier to Paul J. and Ethel Alice (Mettler) Messner.  Jerry graduated from Montpelier High School in 1959.  In 1961 he married  Madalyn D. McCrea and they had 3 children together.  They divorced in 1975.

Jerry was a loving and devoted father and grandfather.  He never missed a family gathering.  He farmed all of his life alongside his dad on the family farm.  He was proud of his heritage and the fact that it was a centennial farm. He enjoyed genealogy and digging into  the family tree, reading and learning about his ancestors.  For several years he drove semi for the Montpelier Auto Auction, hauling cars.  He enjoyed traveling to Arizona in the winter with his significant other, Karen.  After retirement he kept busy mowing both of his lawns, which was a full time job.  Jerry was a faithful patron at Spokes and Rowes, where he was affectionately known as "Doc."  Jerry enjoyed his church family and attended Kunkle United Brethren Church.

Jerry is survived by his children Laurie (Ted) Walkowski of Montpelier, Daniel (Crystal) Messner of Edon, Ohio and Lisa (Tom) Dulle of Edon; 12 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Steven Thompson, brother James Messner and significant-other Karen Moore.

Visitation for Jerry will be on Thursday, August 29th from 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. at the Kunkle United Brethren Church at 400 Angola Street in Kunkle, Ohio.  Services will be on Friday at 11:00 A.M. at the church with Dr. Dan VanArsdalen to officiate.  Interment will follow at Columbia Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be given to Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.