Gerald John Messing Sr.

Mr. Gerald John Messing Sr, 86 of Minden City, passed away Sunday, April 1, 2018 at the Lakeview Extended Care Facility in Harbor Beach.

He was born on August 27, 1931 in Minden City to the late Elmer and Alma (Booms) Messing. He married Mary C. Oswald on June 27, 1953 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms.

Gerald was a graduate of the Charleston Country School. He was self employed and a dairy farmer, welder and mechanic. He was a charter member of the Delaware Township Fire Department where he volunteered as a fireman for over 25 years. He was a past member of the Ruth Knights of Columbus Council #3823. He enjoyed gardening and playing cards. Gerald was passionate about and loved all the animals he knew in his lifetime.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Mary C. Messing of Harbor Beach; four sons, Gerald J. Jr. of Springlake, David J. (Bonnie) of Harbor Beach, Henry J. of Clio, Nicholas (Tracy) of Auburn; two daughters, Patricia (Robert) Hagedon of Harbor Beach, Sally (Ken) McIntosh of Caro; grandchildren, Allen Messing, Sara Messing, Jessica (Michael) Fleischer, Christopher Hagedon and his fiancée Sammie Grove, Steven (Leslie) McIntosh, Rob (Rhonda) Messing, Jennifer (Nathan) Mazure, Peter (Kelli) Messing, Travis (Sara) Messing, Abbey Messing, Riley Messing; 15 great grandchildren; five brothers, Russell (Rosemary), Dennis (Phyllis), Howard (Lucille), James (Rosalynn), Ernie (Margie); seven sisters, Rosemary Block, Beatrice (John) Shultz, Rita (Ralph) Seidl, Diane (John) Hardison, Evelyn (Al) Sass, Bernadette (Frank) Pickett, Viola (Jim) Essenmacher; three sisters-in-law, Jean Messing, Bernadette Messing, Beatrice Oswald; four brothers-in-law, John (Sandy) Oswald, Jim (Marie) and Bob (Elaine) Oswald, Bob Booms.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Leroy, Vincent and Patrick Messing; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Raymond and Sarah Oswald; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Raymond Block, Father Ray Oswald, Dick Oswald, Shirley Booms and Mary Ann Messing;.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 am Thursday, April 5 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, St. Isidore Parish, in Palms, Rev. Ronald Wagner, pastor of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Saginaw will officiate. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery in the spring.

Visitation will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly on Wednesday from 2:00-9:00 pm and Thursday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms from 10:00-11:00 am. There will be a rosary Wednesday at 5 pm and a vigil service at 7:30 pm. Both services will be at the funeral home.

Memorials have been requested to the Family Discretionary Fund or the organization of your choice.