Rev. L. R. Moessner

The Rev. L. R. Moessner, retired pastor of Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church, died suddenly Saturday afternoon while visiting at Lake Milton, OH.

The veteran minister, who served the Zion E-R pulpit for 19 1/2 years before his retirement in 1951, died of a heart attack while visiting a daughter, Mrs. S. R. Smith.

Since he delivered his final sermon as pastor of Zion Church on November 25, 1951, the Rev. Mr. Moessner has served as supply pastor at several area churches.  He was scheduled to fill the pulpit yesterday at Mercy E-R. Church, Saegertown.

With more than 19 of his 43 years in the active ministry spent at Zion Church, her was among the oldest pastors in point of service in the community.

He was born September 15, 1885, in Port Washington, WI, a son of Ludwig Henry and Louisa Ernestine Scholz Moessner.  He attended Port Washington Public Schools and Elmhurst College in IL.  He was graduated from Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO in 1908.  In 1924, he received his master of arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

He was married to the former Lillian Sommer of Thiensville, WI, in 1908.  She died December 12, 1944.  They had two daughters, Mrs. E. E. Reymore of Albuquerque, NM and Mrs. Smith.

The Rev. Mr. Moessner served pastorates at Pittsburgh, Milwaukee and Elmore, OH and came to Meadville in 1932.

He was married to the former Miss Alice Kemp of Meadville on August 29, 1947.

Besides his widow and daughters, he is survived by five grandchildren and a sister, Mrs. Louisa Gunther of Port Washington.

Services were held with the Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.