Alvin Lewis Massey, 87, of Hillsboro, died on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Hillsboro Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Hillsboro.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Hillsbroro Free Methodist Church. Funeral services will follow at the church, with the Rev. Randy Sands officiating. Burial will be held at 2 p.m. at Sunnyside Cemetery in Sorento. Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Sorento is assisting the family.
Mr. Massey was born on May 31, 1937, in Highland, to Alvin and Iva (Zeller) Massey. He married Myrtle Marie Kendall on Feb. 14, 1987, in Sorento, and she preceded him in death on Dec. 15, 2019.
When he was 17, he set out to earn his GED so that he would be able to enlist in the United States Air Force. After serving his time, he was discharged honorably from the Air Force and, in 1961, began his 30-year career as a machinist with the McDonnell Douglas Corporation, later known as Boeing. Once he retired from the aerospace industry, he was able to fully pursue a passion he had since childhood,which was farming and raising pigs. He really enjoyed spending time outside with his pigs so much that he earned the nickname Papa Piggy from his grandchildren.
He was a generous, kind man and it was common practice for him to give his last to someone else in need. Although he had a serious side and always expected the best behavior from his children, one would be hard pressed to find a more giving and selfless man. Woodworking was something he loved to do, creating many pieces such as bookshelves, benches and a toy box for his children and grandchildren throughout the years. Being a lifelong member of the Sorento Assembly of God, he was involved with leading the boys’ group, the Royal Rangers, as well as serving as the Sunday School superintendent. Later in his life, he attended the Assembly of God in Coffeen.
Mr. Massey is survived by his children, Mark (Danielle) Massey of Staunton, Shari (Tim) Adair of Highland and Ruth (Roger) Reincke of Irving; stepchildren, Ron (Diane) Seabaugh of Broomfield, CO, and Jeff Seabaugh of Walshville; grandchildren, Mark (Robyn) Massey of Glen Carbon, Erin (Jared) Sutton of Godfrey, Megan (Jacob) West of Gillespie, Brandon (Danielle) Adair of Edwardsville, Brittani (Tyler) Robertson of Pekin, Rachel Crouse of Hillsdale, Dale (Alyssa) Reincke of Greensburg, IN, and Heather (Dustin) Greenwood of Hillsboro; siblings, Harold Massey of Bunker Hill and Stella Kirk of Fairborn, OH; stepgrandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Cleda Morrow; stepdaughter Tammy Cressy and her husband, Marty Cressy.
Memorials may be given at the visitation or funeral or mailed to Sunnyside Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 267, Sorento, IL 62086.
Condolences may be left at assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
