Mary (Beck) Messner, 86, of East Point, PA, while surrounded by her loving family, went to be with her Lord and Savior following an extended illness, on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 from Broad Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wellsboro, PA.

Mary Esma (Beck) was born September 10, 1931 in Liberty Township, Tioga County PA. She was a daughter of the late Willard Theodore Beck and Mary Elizabeth (Sechrist) Beck. She attended Liberty High School. On Labor Day, September 6, 1948, after the thrashing was finished for the day, Mary and Charles Henry Messner were united in marriage in the East Point Church. He was a farmer, and they worked side by side on the dairy farm until retiring in 1989. They continued raising beef cattle after the dairy cows were gone. Mary also worked at the Liberty Elementary School cafeteria for a while.

Mary was a lifelong member of the Ebenezer United Methodist Church in East Point and the East Point Sunday School. She taught the children's Sunday school class for many years. Mary was a member of the Pollyanna Class and the Ladies Aide. Other memberships included the Old East Point Cemetery Association, the Sebring Grange No. 1047 and the Pomona and State Granges. She was a life-time member of the Liberty Volunteer Fire Company and a very active member of their Auxiliary.

Mary always enjoyed doing embroidery, spending time with her family, going to the cabin and traveling in the United States and Canada. She was willing to help anyone if she saw a need. Both Mary and Charles traveled to Florida twice with volunteers after Hurricane Andrew went through to help with the restoration after all the devastation. Mary also had a green thumb; she could grow beautiful flowers and was always able to winter-over many plants from the outside.

Surviving are her four children; Darlene (Frederick) Smith of Cogan Station, Mary Esther (Larry) Zimmerman and Sheldon (Martha) Messner all of Roaring Branch, Allan Lee (Mary Martha) Messner of Williamsport and son-in-law Robert Groover of Watsontown, 11 grandchildren; Brian (Shani) Groover, Christopher (Allison) Zimmerman, Debra Ann Groover (Charles Palmer), Todd (Staphanie) Zimmerman, Samuel Messner, Grant (Amber) Messner, Laura Lee (Joel) Harrison, Mark Allan (Jacqueline) Messner, Valerie (William) Baker, Molly Person and Emily (Steve) Ulrich, 24 great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren, six siblings; Russell (Betty) Beck of Lakeland, GA, Hartford Beck of Horseheads, NY, Helen Antes of Gillett, William (Phyllis) Beck of Canton, George (Florence) Beck of Ralston and Harry (Virginia) Beck of Muncy. There are also many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mary was predeceased by her loving husband of 63 years, Charles, on March 26, 2012, a daughter, Emma Catherine Groover in 2014, three grandchildren; Joel and Jacob Messner and Morgan Griffus, two siblings; Carl Beck and Catherine Fulmer, two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law; Howard Antes, Robert Fulmer and Alice E. Beck.

Calling hours are Monday 6 – 8 P.M. at Pepper Funeral Home and Cremation Facility, 578 Springbrook Dr. in Canton and Tuesday, Aug. 14, from 10 – 11 A.M. at East Point Church. Pastor Mark Dodson will officiate and Rev. Thomas Harmic will assist at the funeral service following visitation at the church. Burial will follow in East Point Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Old East Point Cemetery Association, c/o L. Zimmerman at 3 Krise Rd. Roaring Branch, PA 17765, the Ebenezer United Methodist Church c/o S. Guillaume, P.O. Box 43 Liberty, PA 16930 or the Liberty Vol. Fire Co., c/o W. Wroblewski at Mines Lane, Roaring Branch, PA 17765.