Major VerNeil D. Mesecher, Sr., 77, of China, died Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at his residence. He was born on October 31, 1935, in Webster City, Iowa, to Helen G. Smith Mesecher and Martin Palmer Mesecher, and had been a resident of the area since 1974.
VerNeil was a proud veteran of the United States Army and made a career of it for twenty-three years. He retired as a Major, and then settled in China as a cattle and hay rancher. VerNeil was a proud member of the Purple Heart Chapter 1991, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Spindletop Post 1806, the American Legion Post 33, Disabled Veterans Chapter 27, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 292, and the Military Officers Association, all in Beaumont. He was also a member of the Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group which provides military honors to all deceased veterans.
He is survived by his partner of twenty-one years, Nancy Rowland of China; son, VerNeil D. Mesecher, Jr. and his wife, Reneé, of Dallas; daughter, Denise Kern and her husband, Ken, of Modesto, California; two grandsons; one granddaughter; brother, Boyd Mesecher and his wife, Claire; and several nieces and nephews.
A gathering of Mr. Mesecher’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, May 24, 2013, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His graveside service with full military honors will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group, P.O. Box 12352, Beaumont, Texas 77726.
