Jeannette C. Mesker

Jeannette C. (Carder) Mesker, age 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at home. On August 12, 1938 she was #9 of ten children born at home to Frank and Elsie Carder who  have preceded her in death. Jeannette was united in marriage to Donald Mesker on February 15, 1958.

They have five children: Daniel ( Christine) Mesker of Defiance, Debra Mesker of Oakwood, Darryl (Laura) Mesker of Paulding, Denise (Wayne) Porter of Defiance, and Darlene (James) Diehl of Ramona, CA. She was blessed with nine grandchildren: Carrie (Brandon) Mesker, Abbie (Cody) Reynolds, Shenia Mesker, Rian Barton, Adrian (Allie) Mesker, Lucas Hyre, Daniel Drake, Christina (Bradd) McBrearty and Chelsie Porter, and ten great-grandchildren.

Her brother, Richard Carder of Delphos and brothers-in-law Anthony (Margee) Mesker of Delphos and Kenneth (Donna) Mesker of Mars Hill, North Carolina and sister-in-law, Irene (Ernie) Barnes of Winter Park, Florida survive her.

In addition to her parents, Jeannette was preceded in death by her beloved "Freddie" and her sisters: Myrtle Brotherwood, Lois Osting, Mildred Bullinger, Mary Lou Bullinger, and Colleen Carder, and her brothers: Orville "Bud" Carder, Donald Carder and Delbert Carder.

She was raised on a farm in Delphos and in high school went to work with her mother. Her mother was the cook while Jeannette waited tables. They both cared for her father who became bed-ridden with Parkinson's disease. She graduated from St. John's Catholic School in 1956 and Jeannette went to work at the Can Factory in Delphos where she and Don began dating. Her father, Frank, was able to suit up for their wedding day in February of 1958 and was able to walk her down the aisle. 

She and Don relocated to Oakwood in 1964 and during their child-rearing years, she worked small jobs like cleaning houses and the ceramic studio not far from home. Once all of their children were in school she went to work full-time for Pawnee Plastics in Paulding. Upon Don's retirement in 1997 they were snow birds for 13 years, traveling west to spend time with their daughters and grandchildren in Arizona and California. She was a great organizer and navigator. They loved camping and seeing the country, but also loved coming 'home'. 

She was quick witted, loved to square dance, play cards, and be close to the water (even though she couldn't swim), but most of all she loved her children and grandchildren. She went to all of their activities and enjoyed playing UNO or marbles or would run through the sprinkler on a warm summer day just to have fun with them. She didn't want to be a mere observer, but wanted to be an active participant in their lives.

Our loss of Jeannette leaves a hole in our hearts, but we know that her body is fully restored and she is reunited with her loved ones that have gone before her. We shall see her again.

Please join us in celebration of her life...visitation will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home South, Lawson/Roessner Chapel (1753 S. Clinton St.) in Defiance. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 pm at the funeral home, with Rev. Larry Kennedy officiating. Due to CDC guidelines if you are not fully vaccinated a mask is required to enter the funeral home, and our lounge area will remain closed. Burial will follow the service at Riverview Memory Gardens.
  
Memorials are suggested to Diabetes Association. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.

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