Kenneth N. Messenger

Kenneth N. Messenger,
Died peacefully in his home on July 3. He was born in 1921 in the Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin, where he later planted trees as a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. About growing up during the Great Depression, he said "you were either poor, or very poor. We were very poor. But it didn't matter, because everyone was poor." He was always proud to have served his country during WWII as a Master Sergeant in the Marines. He married Josephine "Dolly" Banks in 1945, and they moved to New Lenox in 1954 where he built the home he lived in until he died. He worked for the Rock Island Railroad for about 20 years, starting as an apprentice and working his way up to Superintendent of the Car Yard. He worked in the steel industry for another 20 years. He and Jo started an art studio after they retired, painting portraits and landscapes in oils. He was a great father, brother, friend and neighbor, builder, dancer, singer, and artist. He grew amazing tomatoes, authored six books about life, and made a mean pan of fried potatoes. He had a positive influence on so many of the lives that he touched. He enjoyed the last 19 years of his life with his sweetheart, Gladys Oetter. He is survived by his loving family; children Kenneth (Melanie) Messenger and Manette (late Ron Webster) Messenger; sister Audrey (Don) Messenger Kelley; grandchildren Shaun Messenger, Shannon Baer and Riann Galus; great grandchildren John "Luke" Cairns, Xavier Baer, Richie Bell, Aiden Galus and Emma Galus; and several nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Rd, New Lenox IL 60451 on Monday, July 7, 2014 from 4 to 8PM. Funeral service, Tuesday, July 8, 2014 in the funeral home chapel at 10:00am Interment Mapelwood Cemetery, New Lenox. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated.