Bobby Gene Messick

Bobby Gene Messick, 88, passed away on Tuesday, October 31, 2017. Bobby was born May 28, 1929 to Guy and Nellie (Cade) Messick. He married his wife Kathryn Johnson Messick, April 16, 1950, at American Lutheran Church, Gibson City, Illinois.

Bob loved his hometown of Rankin, Illinois, where he received his formal education. His boyhood friends, both guys and girls, were not forgotten and the friendships continued through the years.

His birth family was an everlasting relationship. Laughter and games still echo. He delighted in his own family, his home and his church, accepting his responsibilities to each. His retirement was from American Standard Pottery where he started in 1953 and left in 1980 when they closed the Kokomo operation.

Bob and Kay had 67 ½ years of married life. They worked, sang, danced, and thanked God for His goodness. Bob had the gift of humor. He could laugh at himself and loved making a good story better. Any comment about him includes his ability to tell a joke and get the fun going. Now he is meeting and greeting old friends and family, being embraced, and someone is saying “tell us a funny story, Bob”. And he will.

Bobby is preceded in death by his parents; brothers George, Manfred and James, their spouses Deena, Flossie and Martha; sisters Ellen, Helen, Leona, and Joanne, spouses Clarence Barker, C. B. Johnson, Arthur Davis, and Tom Sly; nephews Arnold Messick, Ron and Don Barker, and niece Martha.

He is survived by his wife Kay, daughter Sheilia Behler (Tom), grandson Drew (Amanda) Behler, granddaughter Mary (Dan) Buckalew, great grandchildren Audrey and Dean Buckalew, and many special nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Bobby will be Saturday November 4, 2017 at 2:30pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; 121 Santa Fe Blvd in Kokomo with Pastor Kurt Gremel. The family will offer visiting hours between 1 and 2:30pm at the church. Burial will follow at Kokomo Memorial Park Cemetery. You may go to www.ellersmortuarywebster.com to sign the guest book, leave a condolence for the family or to leave a memorial contribution. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.