William R. "Bill" Mesler

William R. Mesler          â€œbeloved husband, father, and grandfather”

SHINGLEHOUSE, PA---William R. “Bill” Mesler, 87, of Shinglehouse, passed away in his home on Thursday, October 2, 2014, after a short illness.
     Born October 24, 1926 on Yuba Dam Road, Portville, NY, he was a son of Frank and Minnie Moon Mesler.  On September 26, 1948 in Shinglehouse, he married Lina L. Bump, who survives.
     Bill was a graduate of Shinglehouse High School, Class of 1947.  In his junior year in high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Army.  He served from 1945 to 1946 during World War II spending 5 months in the Asiatic Pacific Theater.  After serving his country, he returned to Shinglehouse and completed his senior year of high school.
     Mr. Mesler farmed on the family farm, and also work for the former Messer Oil in Shinglehouse.  He later worked for Clark Brothers in Olean for 40 years as a production pipefitter, retiring in 1990.
     He was a member and past deacon of the First Baptist Church in Shinglehouse, a member of the Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530, a member of the former Odd Fellows Lodge in Shinglehouse, and a life member and past president of the Oswayo Valley Rod and Gun Club in Millport.  He, along with others, were instrumental in building the fish ponds on Turkey Path Road, Eleven Mile, which still raise 1000’s of fish each year. Bill was president of the Alley Cat Baseball League, coach of the Shinglehouse Shanty Baseball team and also coached the Shinglehouse American Legion Baseball Team.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sports.  His greatest love was his family.  Bill and Lina also raised several foster children, making a loving home for them.
     Surviving besides his wife of 66 years, are two daughters, Pam J. (Keith) Learn of Shinglehouse and Gena (Tony) Main of Friendship; four sons, Roger F. (Royee Niles) Mesler, Mike W. (Tina) Mesler, and Scott E. (Jackie) Mesler, all of Shinglehouse, and Gene (Laurie) Dreier of North Tonawanda, NY; seventeen grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and two special friends, Kenny and Debbie Lehman.  
     In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by four sisters, seven brothers, and a great-grandson, Kaleb Haynes.
     Friends may call at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, PA on Sunday, October 5, 2014 from 3 to 5 p.m. at which time funeral services will follow with the Rev. Kenneth E. Thompson, interim pastor of the First Baptist Church, Kittanning, PA, officiating.  Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.
     Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord military honors on Sunday at the funeral home.
     Flowers are gratefully declined and will be provided by the family.  Memorials in Bill’s name may be made to the Oswayo Valley Rod and Gun Club, PO Box 186, Shinglehouse, PA 16748; the Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530, PO Box 25, Shinglehouse, PA 16748; the Oswayo Valley Memorial Library, PO Box 188, Shinglehouse, PA 16748; or to the Shinglehouse Volunteer Ambulance Association, PO Box 98, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.