Kathryn Mathilda Messick

Her father Ole, who immigrated to the United States from Sweden with his birth family in 1908, died a few months before Kay was born. Her mother Phyllis moved their family of three older children and newborn Kay from Chicago to Gibson City, IL, to be raised near their Johnson and Hanson relatives who had settled there.

On April 16, 1950, at the American Lutheran Church in Gibson City, Kay married Bobby G. Messick, of Rankin, IL. He preceded her in death on Oct 31, 2017, after sixty-eight years of marriage.

If you knew Kay, you know she loved her family with her whole heart. And you know she dearly loved to sing and entertain. For over forty years she filled many Kokomo Civic Theater roles on stage and behind the scenes and was the “first actor to trod the boards” at IUK’s Havens Auditorium. During those same years, she and Bob could often be found on a Friday or Saturday night gathered around a piano, singing and laughing with many long-time friends.

Kay worked for Indiana Bell in the business office, retiring in 1984 after twenty-five years of service.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sheilia and Thomas Behler, Kokomo; and her pride and joy, grandchildren Drew (Amanda Hosier) Behler, Kokomo, and Mary (Daniel) Buckalew, Greenfield, and great-grandchildren Audrey and Dean Buckalew, Greenfield.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brother Lee M. Johnson and sister-in-law Gerry; sister Alice Lehman and brother-in-law James, and sister Frances Goodell and brother-in law Richard. Bob’s seven siblings and their spouses preceded her in death, as well. Kay’s and Bob’s many nieces and nephews were especially loved by them both.

When Kay entered her nineties she wrote a collection of Life Stories, and these are her words: “Perfect Happiness. I pray to someday experience it. I pray it will include meeting my birth father and seeing my mother with him. I pray to see beloved family and friends while hearing laughter. Music of every kind being sung by us all and joyful dancing. In fewer words I pray to experience heaven and the beauty of the TRINITY.”

Visitation will take place at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 121 Santa Fe Blvd., Kokomo on Monday, April 27, 2026 from 11:00 am until the start of funeral services at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Kokomo Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Kokomo, where Kay and Bob served as active members from the day the doors first opened.

Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.