Loving Memory of Dr. Garry George Messmer  (Patricia's Tribute)

July 12, 1936—March 25, 2026

Dr. Garry George Messmer of Hollywood, Florida died Wednesday, March, 25, 2026 surrounded by his family in Trust Bridge Hospice, in Jupiter Care Center, Florida. Garry was born July 12, 1936 son of the late George and Margaret (Keilman) Messmer.  Garry was baptized November 1, 1936, confirmed April 5, 1950 in First Lutheran Church Portage. Garry is survived by his wife Patricia Ruth, daughter Pamela Joy Mannon and son Eric Glenn Messmer. Eric’s wife Deirdre and their daughter Keira Lee. Pamela’s son Will and his wife Lorrin, their children, Darcy, Holly and Eddie.  Garry’s sister-in-law, G. Carole Hunker (deceased) with her three children David and Diane Hunker, Dale and Stephanie Hunker. Dee Ann and her husband Gary Graft. Garry and Patricia Ruth were married December 27, 1964, divorced November 1991 and they remarried July 1, 2022,

Garry is also survived by his sister Donna Bogus and her three children, Jeffrey Bogus and wife Tracie, niece Joyce Bogus and her husband Brian Eng and their son Sebastian and David Bogus and his wife Molly. Garry graduated May 1953 John Carroll High School earning two letters in football, served as class historian, graduating 3rd in his class and skipped a grade. Garry attended all reunions with a 45th class reunion September 19, 1998 in Ebensburg Pa. Garry attended Penn State at age 16, choosing to leave and work in the steel mills. Garry stayed with his aunt Dorothy and uncle Bill working McLouth Steel Mills in Detroit, Michigan. Garry returned to Carrolltown graduating from Juanita College with a Bachelor Science degree in 1961. Garry graduated at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown receiving Honorable Mention and Faculty Chemistry Department Award enrolling in Air Force ROTC. Garry was a doctoral student under tutelage Dr. Elmer L. “Sam” Amma in Chemistry with a dissertation focusing on Crystallography. Garry was inducted into the Society of the Sigma Xi University of Pittsburgh Chapter Phi Lambda Epsilon, Americal Chemical Society, Garry did post-doctorate study University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Canada. Garry was a full professor in the Chemistry Department at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, now PennWest University   Friends will be received on Easter Sunday, April 5th, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., 300 North Julian Street, Ebensburg PA. and from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, at the First Lutheran Church, 915 Caldwell Ave., Portage Pa. Lutheran Pastor Nancy Hoover from Johnstown, will be conducting the Funeral Service at 3:00 p.m. Committal will be held at Prospect Cemetery, Portage. A Funeral Meal will be held in the Royal Room at the Portage Parkway Restaurant, 106 Munster Road Portage Pa. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Garry’s memory may be to Edinboro University Foundation 210 Meadville St.  Edinboro Pa. Garry Messmer Wrestling Scholarship make a donation PennWest University Edinboro (www.pennwest.edu/campuses/edinboro/giving) or to the

University of Pittsburgh, PO Box 640093, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-0093  (Donors should identify the Chemistry Fund to honor Garry G Messmer by enclosing a note or including it on the memo line of the check) or to the Trinity Lutheran Church, 7120 SW 2nd Ct., Pembroke Pines Fl 33023

Loving Memory of Dr. Garry George Messmer (Pam and Eric's Tribute)

Dr. Garry George Messmer of Jupiter, Florida died Wednesday, March, 25, 2026 at the age of 89 surrounded by his family at Jupiter Medical Center, Florida. Garry was born July 12, 1936, son of the late George and Margaret (Keilman) Messmer.  Garry was baptized November 1, 1936 and confirmed April 5, 1950 in First Lutheran Church Portage. Garry is survived by his wife, Patricia Ruth, daughter Pamela Joy Mannon and son Eric Glenn Messmer. Eric’s wife Deirdre and their daughter Keira Lee. Pamela’s son, Will and his wife Lorrin, their children, Darcy, Holly and Edward. 

Garry is also survived by his sister, Donna Bogus, and her three children, nephew Jeffrey Bogus and wife Tracie, niece Joyce Bogus and her husband Brian Eng and nephew David Bogus.

A true Renaissance man, Garry was the son of a western Pennsylvania coal miner.  He was an incredible student who graduated John Carroll High School in May 1953 earning two letters in football, graduating 3rd in his class, and skipping a grade.  He was an All-Cambria County football player in 1952 as a center and linebacker. He attended Penn State at the age of 17 and then left university after a short time to labor in the steel works of Greater Detroit. He returned to Carrolltown, PA graduating from Juanita College with a Bachelor Science degree in 1961. Garry then attended the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown and earned a PhD in Chemistry.

As a doctoral student, his dissertation focused on Crystallography. Garry was inducted into the Society of the Sigma Xi University of Pittsburgh Chapter Phi Lambda Epsilon, Americal Chemical Society, and did post-doctorate study at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Canada. Garry was a full professor in the Chemistry Department at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, now PennWest University from 1969 to 1996.

Garry loved sports and coached Little League when Pam and Eric were young taking the Edinboro Highlanders to a championship in 1981. One of his favorite pastimes was watching college football and for many years he held season tickets to both Pitt and Penn State attending many games and always looking forward to the Pitt-Penn State game every November.  His kindness and generosity will be missed.

Friends will be received on Easter Sunday, April 5th, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., 300 North Julian Street, Ebensburg PA. and from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, at the First Lutheran Church, 915 Caldwell Ave., Portage Pa. Lutheran Pastor Nancy Hoover from Johnstown, will be conducting the Funeral Service at 3:00 p.m. Committal will be held at Prospect Cemetery, Portage. A Funeral Meal will be held in the Royal Room at the Portage Parkway Restaurant, 106 Munster Road Portage Pa. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Garry’s memory may be made to the Garry Messmer Wrestling Scholarship at Penn West / Edinboro University Foundation, 210 Meadville Street  Edinboro PA (www.pennwest.edu/campuses/edinboro/giving) or to the University of Pittsburgh, PO Box 640093, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-0093 (donors should identify the Chemistry Fund to honor Garry G Messmer by enclosing a note or including it on the memo line).