Mr. J L Messer, age 63, of Newport, passed away Friday morning, March 8, 2013.

He was preceded in death by his father Ben Myers, his mother Sarah Ellison, and his brother Leonard Messer.

He is survived by his wife Rita Cope Messer of the home; sons and daughters-in-law Jimmy and Kay Messer of Parrottsville and Major Marty A. and Angela Messer of Newport, NC; grandchildren Ryan (Alicia) Messer, Tina (Chuck) Holt, Angie (Jason) Williams, and Lynn Mantooth; ten great-grandchildren; brothers Roth Lee Messer of Greeneville; Virgil Messer, Robert Messer, Mitchell Messer, Jerry Messer, and Cary Myers, all of Newport, TN; Larry Myers of Del Rio, TN and Seldon Myers of Cleveland, TN; sisters Helen Morgan of Greeneville, TN; Corrine Wahler of Connecticut; uncles Bertie Ellison and Carl Ellison, both of Newport, TN; inherited daughter Lana (Dean) Williams; father-in-law Fred Williford of White Pine, TN, and the mother of his sons Judy Messer.

A funeral service will be held at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2013, in the Costner-Maloy Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Franklin Wine officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at Costner-Maloy Funeral Home prior to the services.

Arrangements by Costner-Maloy

www.costnermaloyfuneralhome.com