David Garret Messinger, 31, of Stewartville, died of accidental alcohol poisoning on Saturday Oct. 1, 2011.

David, the son of William and Dee Messinger, was born in Austin on March 21, 1980. He attended Stewartville schools and enlisted in the Navy in February of 1999 and served for more than 10 years. He loved being in the Navy and serving his country. He served in Sicily for 3.5 years. He was trained as a Gunner’s Mate and served on the Destroyer USS Hue City, out of Mayport, Fla. He was a recruit division commander at Great Lakes Naval Station, Great Lakes, Ill.

He and Natalie Cebular were united in marriage on May 30, 2004, and they were later divorced. David enjoyed traveling, the outdoors, target shooting and sailing. He especially loved playing with his nephews, Kaden, Colin and Liam, and his nieces, Danita, Mikayla, Abby and Paisley.

He is survived by his daughter, Isabel Marks of Garland, Texas; his parents, Dee and Bill Messinger of Stewartville; sisters, April (Randy) Woodbury of Bondurant, Iowa, Anette Messinger of San Antonio, and Lacy Messinger of Rochester, Minn.Maternal grandfather, Garret(Lois) Loverink of Deer River, Minn.; maternal grandmother, E. Muriel Jensen of Nisswa, Minn.; uncle, Derwin (Tammy) Loverink of Rittman, Ohio; four cousins, Derwin II, Peter, Rena and Aiden, and many extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, William and Martha Messinger.

Even though he struggled with addiction, he loved the Lord. In the last year he had joined Autumn Ridge church and been active in Celebrate Recovery and in Freedom for Life, at Journey church.

A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Friday Oct. 7, 2011, at the Timothy Chapel at Autumn Ridge Church, 3611 Salem Rd. SW, Rochester, with the Rev. Dan Farm officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at the Timothy Chapel on Friday afternoon. As a true sailor, he wanted to be cremated and have his ashes spread over the ocean he loved.

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville.