Apri 4, 1935 — Dec. 14, 2014

Richard T. Muessig III, age 79 years of Dowagiac, Michigan died Sunday evening, December 14, 2014 at his home, unexpectedly but of natural causes.

He was born on April 4, 1935 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to James W. and Evelyn L. (Carbine) Muessig. He was graduated from Lombard (Illinois) High School, and earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Michigan State University in East Lansing. At Michigan State, he was a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps, serving in the United States Army as a Captain, and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict.

His career was as an educator, serving in the classroom as a teacher, and in the office as an administrator. He served several school districts including Niles Community Schools from 1971 until retirement in 1988 when he settled in Dowagiac. He was also ordained in the United Methodist Church and had served as Pastor of Pokagon United Methodist Church from 1992 until 2001.

Dick was a member of Pokagon United Methodist Church, and was an active member of its choir. He was also a very active volunteer with the Old Rugged Cross Church restoration and hymnsings and volunteered at A.C.T.I.O.N. in Dowagiac. He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and the American Legion. He has recently returned to the classroom, volunteering as a teacher’s aide.

On June 16, 1962 at the Federated Church in Dowagiac he married the former Patricia Jo Hale with whom he celebrated the forty-eighth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on January 27, 2011.

Surviving family includes a daughter, Andrea (& Todd) Cook of Battle Creek, Michigan and son, Patrick (& Carrie) Muessig of Paw Paw, Michigan; and grandchildren Avery Cook, Claudia Muessig, and Brenden Muessig.

Services for Pastor Richard Muessig will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2015 at the Old Rugged Cross Church in Pokagon, Michigan with the Rev. Brenda Gordon of Pokagon United Methodist Church officiating assisted by the Rev. Patricia Haas of Keswick United Methodist Church in Sutton’s Bay, Michigan. The service will conclude in the churchyard for the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Army Honor Guard.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday. Contributions in memory of Richard Muessig may be made to the Old Rugged Cross Church Foundation. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com