Iola Mesler, 73

Iola M. Mesler, age 73, of Colon, passed away June 4, 2015, at her home, surrounded by her family, after a hard fought 11-month battle with cancer. Iola was born Oct. 19, 1941, in Plattsburgh, N.Y., a daughter of the late Charlotte Patnode and Everest Woodward. On Jan. 10, 1957, she married Wallace L. J. Mesler and they spent 58 years living their great American love story.

Iola was employed by Maxitrol in Colon for 37 years, retiring in 1994. She loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed many activities, including snowmobiling, camping and fishing. Iola was the rock of the family and was loved by all of her family and friends and passed on many of her qualities to them. They enjoyed many years of retirement together, traveling to see family and spending winters in Florida with their good friends.

L. J. survives, as do her three daughters, Tammy L. (Lloyd) Walton, Pamela J. (Dennis) Babbs and Terry L (William) McManus, all of Colon. Iola is also survived by eight grandchildren, Jeremy (Tamra) Haskins of Colon, Brian Babbs and friend Tyler McKibben of Colon, Kelly (David) Marion of Mount Airy, N.C., Alicia (Nick) Lagree of Ellensburg Center, N.Y., Daniel (Angelica) LaClair of New York and Amber LaClair and Chad Bernheisel of Colon, William McManus VI of Howe, Ind., and Anita McManus of Kalamazoo.

Her family also includes five great grandchildren and two more on the way; a sister, Francis Baker of Ausable Falls, N.Y.; stepbrothers Ronnie (Arlene) Patnode, John (Sue) Patnode, Gary (Barb) Patnode and Dick (Sharon) Patnode, and stepsisters Lorraine (Nick) Kuhersa, Joan Brooks and Myrna (Bobby) Carter, all of New York; sisters–in-law Susie (Butch) Belote of Sturgis, Maysie (Willard) Lafler of Fulton and Sandy Mesler of Waterford, Phil Keeler of Florida; and special aunts and uncles, Earl and Betty Morrow and Teen Seguin of New York.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Larry Woodward; and sisters Shirley Keeler, Nancy Chilton and Dawn Staley.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friday at Schipper Funeral Home in Colon. Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, June 6, 2014, at the funeral home, with Mr. David J. Farrell officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon. Donations may be made in Iola’s name to the charity of your choice.