DeAnn Messinger

Our precious Annie grew her wings and flew home with the angels on October 22, 2016. She fought the good fight and stayed true and focused on her lord and savior through it all. Now she is receiving her crown and entering in to her reward.

It leaves a big hole in the lives of all of us who loved her, and whose lives she touched and blessed. As we pick up the torch that’s been dropped, I pray we can carry it to bless others and lead them to Christ as she led us by example.

Annie was born in Twin Falls, Idaho on June 17, 1960 to Richard Fred Butler and Marlene Corle Butler.  She was later joined by brothers Don and Jack who were waiting for her in heaven on Saturday, along with her father, her infant son Josh and many extended family members. What a joyous reunion they must be having.

She leaves behind her husband Chuck, her mother Marlene, one sister Anita Jordan of Lincoln City, Oregon, a niece Barbara Lewis and sons Richard and Dontay of Filer, one nephew Al Arsenault, wife Anita and sons Johnathan, Joe, Jeremy and Justin of Twin Falls and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins who shared her life and friends without number. 

Annie graduated from Jerome high school and attended Northwest University and College of Southern Idaho.

She Married Garry McClellan and was a navy wife for 13 years. During that time, she lived in San Diego, CA, Norfolk, VA and Rota, Spain. She served as ombudsman for the U.S.S. Okinawa during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.  Annie led a group of Navy wives to Singapore to spend leave time with their husbands once during that 12-month deployment.  She always said that brought about the scariest time in her life.  They went out to the ship in a small boat and climbed the ladder on the side of the ship without problem.  But when it was time to leave, she looked down at that tiny boat in the big ocean and just froze!  With hundreds of sailors anxious to get to shore, she couldn’t move!  They had to pry her hands off the rail and physically move her over the side and down each step of the ladder.  After that she always laughed and said she was probably the most “remembered” Ombudsman they had ever had.  But she made many friends during that time that she continued to communicate with through the years.

She and Gary later divorced, and God brought Chuck Messinger into her life.  They met at Motel 6 in Twin Falls when he hired her as night auditor while he was assistant manager in 1998.  They were married February 14, 2000 and have lived in the Magic Valley.  Annie was gone for a year when she went to Lincoln City, Oregon to take care of her “girl”, niece Barbara Lewis, and her “babies” – Richard and Dontay Lewis. 

Chuck and Annie worked as a team managing apartments for 3 years until they both became disabled.   Since that time they have volunteered many hours at the Christian Radio Station 88.1, manning the booth at the Twin Falls County Fair 4 years and taking calls during Share-A-Thon each year!

They remained inseparable and Chuck cared for her every need during this last year of failing health.  Annie felt so blessed to be part of the Messinger family and deeply loved Chuck’s parents, Gene and Arlene and sisters Arvina, Terri, and Susan and their families and enjoyed every opportunity to spend time with them. 

Annie was a member of Hansen Assembly of God Church and loved working in the nursery, helping with kids activities at block parties, and manning the snack bar at Hansen Fun Days. 

She loved animals and was involved with Animal Rescue.  (She was often seen with a baby kitten peeking out of her pocket at church or wherever she happened to be and she was feeding it every hour.)  She wrote poetry and was published, loved reading and was passionate about helping others.  She never had any live children, but took care of other people’s children and loved every minute of it.  Most of them called her “Miss Annie” or “Auntie Annie”.  She was selfless, always putting other needs before her own. 

She was full of the Joy of the Lord, loved to laugh and wear bright colors in crazy combinations to make people laugh.  Planning fun times for family and friends was her joy and the Annual Corle Christmas Party was the highlight of her year. 

A celebration of her life will be held at the Hansen Assembly of God, 319 2^nd Street East in Hanse, Idaho at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, October 27, 2016. 

The family requests you wear her favorite color – purple – or other bright colors to her celebration.  Those who wish may share memories and condolences on her memorial page at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.