Memorial

Joseph D. Messner, 91, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday November 2, 2013 at the Hiawatha Care Center. Memorial Services: 2:00 pm, Sunday November 10 at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories, where his family will greet friends after 1:00 pm. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Jeanne, his son, Mark Messner of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, his daughter, Dianne (Charles) Lytz of Chestertown, New York, his grandchildren; Brian Lytz, David Lytz, Tara Messner, Paige (Scott) Dirksen, and Keith Messner. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Jeanne Konold, a niece, Juanita McIntosh, and sisters-in-law, Carole Weckesser and Patricia Harke.

Joseph was born May 6, 1922 in New York City, NY, the son of Joseph and Cecelia (Mathy) Messner. He married Jeanne Weckesser on May 3, 1947 in St. Patrick Church in Jersey City, NJ. Joe graduated from the High School of Music and Art, NYC, spent 2 years at the J. Albert Cavanagh School of Lettering and Design, LA, then 2 years studying oil painting, LA. Joe was an Advertising Art Director and Watercolorist, his creative advertising career placing him in California and New York City, and he retired from CMF&Z in Cedar Rapids.

Notably, Joe was the founder of the Iowa Watercolor Society (1977). He studied with nationally known Watercolorists and enjoyed a long and creative side career as a distinguished watercolor painter and mentor. He had a love of nature and a visual appreciation of all his surroundings.

Please leave a message for the family on our web page www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mercy Hall-Perrine Cancer Center at 701 10th Street, SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403.