JOPLIN, Mo. —
Martha E. Allen Messbarger, age 92, passed away at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at her home following an illness.
She was born March 28, 1920, in Granger, Texas. Her parents were Emil and Freda (Kronovich) David. She moved to the Galena/Joplin area in 1943.
She was a member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Joplin. She had also been a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church Galena, Kan., where she was involved in the Altar Society. She was a seamstress and also enjoyed crocheting, gardening and cooking.
She married John L. Allen on July 4, 1943, in Taylor, Texas. He passed away May 12, 1997. She then married Bill Messbarger in August 1999. He died in 2005.
She was also preceded in death by one son, Randall Allen (March 31, 1975) and eight siblings.
Surviving are three daughters, Marilyn (and Melvin) James, Boring, Ore., Phyllis (and Rich) Vaughan, Joplin, and Becky (and Bill) Moody, Austin, Texas; five grandchildren, Shannon Stansberry, Mahalley Allen-Turner, Randa Allen, Lori Ramsey and Kylie Rogers; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Frank David, Round Rock, Texas; and two sisters, Margie Vanacek, and Alice Heselmeyer, both of Taylor.
A Rosary prayer service will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena. The family will receive friends afterward until 7 p.m. Funeral Mass service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 11, at St. Peter the Apostle Church. The celebrant will be Fr. J. Friedel. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Galena.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Legacy Project at St. Peter's Church.
Online condolences may be made at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com
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