Earl Francis Wessing, age 83, of Pilot Grove, MO, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2023, at his home.
Earl was born April 28, 1939, in Pilot Grove, a son of B.J. and Isabelle Marie (Eckerle) Wessing. He married Anna Irene “Choppie” Luttrell on November 12, 1966. Choppie passed away February 9, 1977. He then married Lena Carlos on July 31, 1982, in Pilot Grove.
Earl was raised Catholic and was a cattle farmer since graduating from Pilot Grove High School. He enjoyed collecting and worked on Big Green machinery. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1962-1965. He was also actively involved in the maintenance and operating of Wessing trucking company. Earl loved his family and was very active in the community. He coached and enjoyed men’s fast pitch softball and coached 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade basketball. He also served as a board member of the Federal Land Bank from 1984 -1987. In addition to being a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, he was an active member of the Lion’s Club, Cooper County Cattleman’s Association, and the Knights of Columbus. He joined the Knights in 1956 and was a Grand Knight from 1967-1969.
Survivors include his wife of forty years, Lena Wessing; two sons, Stacy Wessing (Courtney Young) and Aaron Wessing (Desiree) both of Pilot Grove; four stepchildren, Diana Gilpin, Keith Gilpin, Chris Gilpin (Sonya), and Rusty Gilpin, all of Columbia; eleven grandchildren, Shelby Wessing, Bryson Wessing, Aiden Wessing, Ean Wessing, Elizabeth Wessing, Ashton Wessing, Christa Rosenfelder, Chase Gilpin, Jessica Miller, Jennifer Colter, and Gage Young; two great-grandchildren, Conner Gilpin and Addie Miller; one brother, Gerry Wessing of More Head City, NC; two sisters, Pat Davis (John) and Peggy Weber (Bill), both of Boonville; one brother-in-law, Clifford Earles of Excelsior Springs; and one sister-in-law, Jayne Wessing of Pilot Grove.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Charlie Wessing and his sister, Bernie Earles.
Prayers of the Rosary will begin at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 5, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with visitation to follow until 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 6, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Fr. Paulinus Aneke, officiating.
Pallbearers will be his nephews Todd Wessing, Matt Davis, Brent Weber, Donnie Earles, Brian Weber, Branden Weber, and Freeman Denton.
Honorary pallbearers will be Earl Reuter, Bob Painter, Harold Lammers, Gary Leonard, Scott Grissum, and Brad Grissum.
Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Joseph School “Door Replacement Project”, in care of the Meisenheimer-Page-Dady Funeral Home in Pilot Grove.