Michael Messick

Michael Thomas Messick, 72, of Lancaster, Ohio, passed away at home surrounded by loving family on February 2, 2025. Even through a long and well-fought fight with several illnesses over the last year, he kept his sense of humor until the very end. Michael was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on March 1, 1952 to Martha (Daniels) and Cecil Messick. After high school, he joined the Navy where he served his country for 8 years, during which he did two tours aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk during and after the Vietnam war. His work as an avionics technician fed his love for everything flight-related and he used to spend hours piloting on his flight-simulator. On December 24, 1980, he married the love of his life, Ruth Enty, who survives him. He adored his family and is survived by his children Shelli (Matt) King of Brentwood, TN, Jason (Sharon) Messick of Mt. Juliet, Bryan (Amanda) Messick of Central, UT, Katie Smith of Ashland, KY, and Sarah (Krist’n) Hutchinson of Ashville, OH, his beautiful grandchildren Jodi (John) Messick, JT Messick, Matthew King, Stephen (Georgia) Messick, William King, Sydney Messick, Corban Messick, Kaylee Messick, and Raylan Smith, and great grandchildren Esther and Athena Messick. He is also survived by his three sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents and his still-born brother. He was known for his wonderful sense of humor, infectious laugh, and incredibly bad dad jokes. He had a love for music and playing guitar and until recent years he always had a pencil or a paint brush in his hand making his latest work of art. After receiving a call to ministry after the Navy, Michael spent his life bringing the word of Jesus to everyone he met through his sermons, his love, his sweet and gentle spirit, and his wonderful stories. His advice, his bad dad jokes, and his stories will live on through all of the lives he has touched. He always ended every family goodbye with “Be good, be nice, be sweet, behave, be quiet, be careful, be mine valentine”—he even sometimes added a colorful one at the end. Visitation will be held at Wellman’s funeral home on Sunday February 9, 2025 from 1-4 with service to immediately follow. Food and fellowship to follow at the Wellman house next door to the funeral home so everyone can share laughs, tears, and stories together in Michael’s honor. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memoriam can be made to the Fairfield Medical Center Foundation in gratitude for the incredible care he received during some of the most trying times of his life. Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.