Joe Messina

Joe Messina, 91, of Stephenville, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2015 in Stephenville.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Stephenville Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday at Stephenville Funeral Home.

Joe was born on December 1, 1923 in Haileyville, OK to the late Silver and Minnie Rich Messina. He married Imogene F. Bryant on November 10, 1942 in Haileyville, OK. She preceded him in death on October 23, 2001. Joe was a Deacon of Cross Timbers Baptist Church and served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He retired from Inland Container, Newark, California. He served as past President of Southern Gospel Singing Convention. Joe was the youngest of 7 children and he lived to see 5 generations. He never knew a stranger, was always welcomed at Cotton Patch and known for being “Erath County’s taste sampler for Walmart and HEB.

Joe is survived by his only daughter, Linda Israel and husband Joe; three granddaughters, Cyndie Sanders and husband Rick, Debbie Sulkowski and husband Chuck; Stacie Stinson and Dale Martin; seven great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.