Kendall “Ken” Brice Messer Oct. 18, 1949 – April 3, 2021

      Former Monticello resident Kendall “Ken” Brice Messer, now a resident of Warrensburg, Mo., died unexpectedly on April 3, 2021 at the age of 71.

      Kendall is survived by his wife of 50-plus years, Barbara (nee Avaux); his children, Jessica (Doug) Brauer, Sara (Brian) Shewry; and Eric (Alisa) Messer; his grandchildren Jacob and Addison Brauer, Aiden Shewry, and Kaci and Angelica Messer; his two sisters Shirley (Lee) Smith and Sharon (Brad) Stanley, and his brother, Brian (Joy) Messer.

      Ken was born in Fairfield, Iowa, on Oct. 18, 1949, to Clifford and Mazie Messer. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1971 with a degree in Animal Science. He later graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1988.  Kendall retired from Edward Jones in 2011 after a 37-year career in banking and financial planning.

      Ken was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He greatly enjoyed gardening and singing in the First United Methodist Church choir. He was a long-time member of Rotary International, serving as District Governor from 2013-2014.  A strong believer in servant leadership and an avid volunteer, Ken served on many boards and participated in many organizations including Lions Club, the Executive Board of Care Connection for Aging Services, and the Board of Directors of the Trails Regional Library Foundation, and WIG Investment Club.

      A visitation was held on Friday, April 9 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg.  A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 10 at First United Methodist Church in Warrensburg followed by burial at Sunset Hill Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Music Ministry of the First United Methodist Church in Warrensburg or the Trails Regional Library Foundation in Warrensburg.