Ralph Messmore

ACORN RIDGE - Ralph E. Messmore, 85, died May 24, 2003, at his home near Acorn Ridge.

Born Nov. 8, 1917, at Sullivan, Ill., to the late Frank and Lucy Waggoner Messmore, he retired in 1961 as a captain in the U.S. Army after serving his country for 23 years, including in World War II and the Korean War. He moved to Acorn Ridge following his retirement.

On May 7, 1947, he married Beatrice Whitehead, who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: one son, Ralph Lyle Messmore of St. Louis; two daughters, Paula Messmore Arn of Kansas City and Amy Shewell of Blue Springs; one brother, John Messmore of Sibley, Ill.; four sisters, Joy Carlise of Charleston, Ill., Bonnie Bell of Greenview, Ill., Peggy Scott of Mattoon, Ill., and Geraldine Standerfer of Mountain Home, Ark.; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Jack Messmore; and two sisters, Mildred Price and Fern King.

Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. today at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield with the Rev. Brad Dush officiating.

Burial followed in the Bernie Cemetery with full military rites.