Emory “Elmer” Messick, age 94, passed away on October 21, 2018 at his home surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Baker, Florida on September 17, 1924 to Ben & Jesse Messick and spent his childhood years growing up in Dozier, AL. Elmer served in the United States Army during World War II and at the end of his military service, he followed the love of his life Gladys Thomasson, to Dade City where they were married.
While in Dade City, he worked the orange groves, where he learned and became proficient in the trade of farming. In 1957, he made his way back to Baker, Florida and bought his homestead of 125 acres, which eventually grew into a large and successful farming operation. He retired from farming in 1986, and for the next three years, he dedicated his life to taking care of Gladys, his loving wife of 43 years, until she went to be with the Lord.
Elmer eventually started “courting” again and married Lonnie Bell Messick, who gave him 25 years of love and companionship. He was very blessed to have found not just one, but two precious ladies to love him during his lifetime. Elmer will be welcomed in Heaven by his wife, Gladys Mildred Messick; his parents, Ben & Jesse Messick; his grandsons, Bryan & Little Joe Messick; his sisters, Mildred, Mavis, Mary Alice, & Elizabeth; his brothers, JB, Dub, Raymond, & Billy, and many friends who have gone on before him.
He leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Lonnie Bell Messick; his son, Joe Messick; his daughter, Melba Kolmetz; bonus son, Mike Kolmetz; grandsons, Mikie Kolmetz and wife Karla, Josh Kolmetz and wife Kristy, Adam Kolmetz and wife Lara, and Daniel Messick; granddaughters, Kim Oakley and husband Rich, Miriam Hardy and husband Ryan; 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Messick and wife Denise; sisters, Elaine Bryan and husband Runt, Sherby Bryan and husband Jimmy; step daughters, Sonja Brunson, Mary McFadden and husband Neal; step-grandchildren, Vanessa Menhennett and husband Chris, Matt Brunson and wife Polly, Chastity Adams and husband Chad, John Silva; and 10 step-great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be his beloved grandsons, Mikie Kolmetz, Adam Kolmetz, Josh Kolmetz, Ryan Hardy, Daniel Messick, & Rich Oakley. Junior pallbearers will be his great grandsons, Kaleb Kolmetz, Trey Kolmetz, Dalton Kolmetz, Karson Kolmetz, & Max Hardy.
Honorary pallbearers will be Matt Brunson, Chis Menhennett, Chad Adams, Bobby Henderson, Rex Mclelland, Jerry Madden, and George Ballard. Visitation will be held at Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home on Tuesday from 6-8pm. Funeral service will take place on Wednesday at Golan Assembly of God at 11:30am.
Graveside service will immediately follow at Shady Grove Assembly of God. Guest book and condolences are available online at www.
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