Allen Frederick Messenger

Allen Messenger Services: 11 a.m. today Adams Funeral Chapel, Charleston, Ill. Visitation: two hours prior to the services today, funeral chapel. CHARLESTON, Ill. #45;- Allen Frederick Messenger, 74, Charleston, died Monday, Nov. 1, 2004, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. The Rev. B.F. McClerren will officiate the services. Services will close with military rites conducted by the Honor Guard of Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul MeVey Post 1592 of Charleston. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at Memorial Park Cemetery, Muscatine. Memorials may be made to Children's Advocate Services (CASA) by mailing donations to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. Mr. Messenger was born Feb. 8, 1930, in Muscatine, the son of Fred G. and Mildred L. Allen Messenger. He married Janet Hendrickson Aug. 2, 1958, in Muscatine. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, having served in the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the American Legion, an advocate for CASA and a past member of the Charleston Rotary Club. Bonanza Buildings took him and his family to Charleston in 1982, where he was employed as their general manager until 1985. He later served as di...[more]

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tor of the Business Development Center at Eastern Illinois University, a position he held until his retirement in 1995. He liked anything associated with airplanes and flying and was a military history buff. He enjoyed a day on the golf course with Brian and Gary, but his greatest enjoyment came from being a devoted husband, dad and grandfather. This loving and caring man, who possessed such an endearing sense of humor, will be missed by his family, his many friends and by his dachshund, Willie. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Brian Allen Messenger and wife Sharon of Baldwin, Kan., and Gary W. Messenger and wife Penny of Peoria, Ill.; five grandchildren, Hannah Messenger and Brock Messenger, both of Baldwin, Kyle Messenger, Evan Messenger and Olivia Messenger, all of Peoria; and a sister, Joanne TeStrake and husband Kenneth of Muscatine. He was preceded in death by his parents.