Bessie L. Comer, 98, of Newton, died on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, at Nelson Manor. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 27, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 26, at the funeral home. Memorials to the Ira Community Center may be left at the funeral home.
Bessie, the daughter of Lewis E. and Florence A. (Bardwell) Harris, was born June 15, 1918, in Clarksburg, Mo. She was united in marriage with O. Henry Comer Jan. 27, 1937, in Clarksburg. They moved to the Jasper County area in 1949, and made their home around the Ira and Newton areas the rest of their lives. Bessie worked for the Maytag Company for 29 years, retiring in 1978. She was a member of the Ira United Church and the UAW Local 997. Bessie enjoyed sewing, going out to eat, and especially the time she spent with her grandchildren.
Bessie is survived by her children, Mildred (Archie) Rawlins of Newton, Gene Comer of Newton, Judy (Dale) Vander Linden of Monroe, Carol Noe of Mingo, Steve (Pam) Comer of Newton, and Pat (John) Myers of Mingo; 11 grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; her brother, Harry (Nancy) Harris of California, Mo.; and her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Henry Comer in 2003; a grandchild; a great-grandchild; daughter-in-law, Holly Comer; son-in-law, Darrell Noe; sister, Martha; and a brother, Raymond, in infancy.