Martha Messersmith, of Dixon, was born on January 23, 1922, at Dixon, a daughter of Jesse T. and Edith L. (Fritchey) Yoakum, and departed this life at 2:20 p.m., Sunday, April 13, 2014, in the Maries Manor, Vienna. Mrs. Messersmith had been in failing health for some time and had attained the age of 92 years, 2 months, and 20 days.

Mrs. Messersmith was united in marriage on December 24, 1939, at Dixon, to Allen Messersmith, and to this union one son was born. She was preceded in death by her husband on December 29, 1995; her son, Richard A. Messersmith, Sr. on June 15, 2004; her parents; five brothers, Willard, Willie, George, Simon and Bennett Yoakum and one sister, Lucille Grace Yoakum.

Mrs. Messersmith was a lifelong member of the New Salem Baptist Church near Dixon. She had worked for Brown Shoe Company, Dixon for over 44 years and then for LB Manufacturing, Iberia and had been a caregiver for various people as well as a devoted housewife and homemaker. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, doing crafts, gardening, cooking and fishing.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Messersmith include: one daughter-in-law, Rita Messersmith; three grandchildren, Tammy (Daren) Eads, Richard A. (Teresa) Messersmith, Jr. and Jeffrey W. Messersmith, all of Dixon; six great-grandchildren, Hailey (Alex) Blackwell, Jesse (Jessica) Messersmith, Wyatt Messersmith, Alex Eads, Levi Messersmith and Marsie Messersmith; four great-great-grandchildren, Kal and Jace Blackwell and Dreygen and Eli Messersmith; one sister, Mary Evelyn Blankenship, Dixon; numerous nephews and nieces; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Mrs. Messersmith at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, April 16, 2014, in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Dixon, with Bro. Louis Dunlap, Dixon, officiating.

Interment was in the Wheeler Cemetery near Dixon under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Dixon. Pallbearers for Mrs. Messersmith were Clifty Yoakum, Ralph Yoakum, Pete Blankenship, Jr. Yoakum, George Yoakum, Robbie Yoakum and Hayden Yoakum. Honorary pallbearers were Richard Messersmith, Jr., Jeff Messersmith, Alex Eads, Jesse Messersmith, Wyatt Messersmith and Levi Messersmith.

Memorials are suggested by the family to the Wheeler Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund with envelopes available at the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home, Dixon.