Mark O. Messinger

He adored his family, but after spending the first 17 years of his life in Toledo, Ohio, Mark joined the Marines. Unlike his parents, the Corps was not concerned about how many days of his senior year he skipped to paint sailboats. Apparently they thought, “hey, this guy seems willing to travel,” and travel he did. Both in the service and in his corporate life, Mark got to see the world. After extensive international travel and living for a while in Michigan, Missouri and Texas, he eventually landed in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he grew roots and finally retired.

Upon entering Marks home, visitors were greeted by wonderful cooking smells, loud music, friendly dogs and the offer of an adult beverage. He loved to cook for his family and friends, and ruled his kitchen with an iron fist. Guests would do well to just stay out of the way, have another drink, and enjoy his amazing music collection, because the man definitely knew how to throw a party. George Clinton and Parliament, Funkadelic? Got it. Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band? Got that too. Delicious food, good wine, cold beer, top-shelf liquor? Settle in for a fun evening.

Like anyone with a wicked sense of humor, Mark loved dry wit from across the pond, especially British television shows from the sixties and seventies. He also loved NPR and often had it playing in every room of his home. These loves were passed to his children, whether they liked it or not. He was an aficionado of the finer things in life while being a champion for the little guy. He was a grumpy master of the deep sigh while being a beloved source of non-judgmental advice. He loved dogs, tolerated cats and hated the skunks that occasionally visited his front porch. Mark was a voracious reader who could play multiple musical instruments and loved watching the birds that visited his many feeders. Most of all he loved his children, grandchildren and his adoring wife Nancy. Quotes from one of his favorite writers, Hunter S. Thompson: “There he goes. One of God’s own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind, never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die” and “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

Mark, we love you, we miss you, and things won’t be the same without you. He was preceded in death by his mother, Marge Messinger; father, Tom Messinger; his brother, John Messinger and his sister-in-law Cassie Colchagoff. Mark leaves behind his wife, Nancy Batora Messinger; his siblings, Matthew Messinger, Luke Messinger (Lisa) and Laura Lowder (Jay); his children, Simon Messinger (Erica), Jon Andersen (Chris), Matthew Andersen (Audrey) and Shanna Andersen; his grandchildren, Brock and Reid Messinger, Julie Arias, Joe and Rosemary Andersen, Garret Talley and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or your local hospice. Service will be held on Saturday, August 14th at 2 pm at D.O. McComb & Sons at 1140 Lake Ave. Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805 with visitation from 12 pm to 2 pm.