Memorial: Virginia “Gin” L. Messmer

Virginia “Gin” L. Messmer, Age 94, Jasper, Indiana, passed away surrounded by family, April 27, 2025, at Legacy Living, Jasper, IN.

She was born in Jasper Indiana, on August 7, 1930, To Harry and Veronica (Lechner) Sermersheim.  She married Paul R. Messmer, at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntingburg IN on August 1, 1953.  He preceded her in death on January 19, 2014.

Surviving are four daughters, Paula Reyling, and husband Kent, Jasper, IN, Donna Smith, and husband Dr Bruce Smith, Effingham IL , Linda Luegers, and husband Steve, Ireland, IN, and Martha Schmitt, Ireland, IN; three sons, Dave Messmer and wife Toni, Jasper, IN, Kevin Messmer and wife Bev, Jasper, IN, Keith Messmer and wife Jackie, Newburgh, IN;  sisters, Sally Schmitt and Gloria Morgan, and a brother, Dennis E. Sermersheim all of Jasper, IN;  17 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren, many of whom spent this past Easter with their loving Grandmother.  

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Paul Messmer, sisters Mary Lou Buschkoetter and Nancy Meiring, and son- in -laws Randy Schmitt and Gene Schmitt.

She worked at the Jasper Glove Company prior to raising her family.  She liked to describe herself as a “domestic engineer” raising seven children of her own including twin boys and a multitude of other children she “raised’ via her many years of babysitting.

She was an avid Bridge player and a member of the Duplicate Bridge Club.  She also played a lot of Scrabble and Rum.

She was a member of Precious Blood Catholic Church.  She was a lector and Eucharistic Minister and also Chairperson of the Welcome Committee for 21 years and chairperson of the Prayer Chain.  She was a member of the Precious Blood Ladies Sodality, The Daughters of Isabella, and St. Vincent De Paul Society.  Gin and Paul Messmer were proud recipients of the Brute Award in 1992 as bestowed upon them by Bishop Gettelfinger

A Mass of Christian Burial for Virginia L. Messmer will be held at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana, with burial to follow in St. Mary Cemetery in Ireland, Indiana.

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the 12:00 p.m. (noon) Mass time at the church on Wednesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Paul and Gin Messmer Family Catholic Education Scholarship Endowment administered by the Catholic Diocese of Evansville or to Precious Blood Catholic Church. 

Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.