Roy Bruce Messink

  Roy Bruce Messink, 97, of East Jordan, died Friday, June 27, 2025, in Traverse City.

  He was born on August 9, 1927, in Detroit, the son of Roy and Della (Christian) Messink.

  Roy graduated from Western High School in Detroit in 1945. 

  He served in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. 

  On April 13, 1951, in Elizabeth City, New Jersey, he married Anna Marie Sertich.

  He graduated from Wayne State University in 1970.

  Roy served 35 years as a fireman in the Detroit Fire Department. He retired as the Battalion Chief in I987.

  Roy and Anna moved to East Jordan in 1987. After 46 years of marriage, Anna preceded Roy in death on June 27, 1997 .

  On July 8, 2000,  Roy and Patricia celebrated their marriage vows at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Jordan.

  Roy had been a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7580.

  He had played tennis his whole life up to the age of 90.  He also was an avid swimmer and musician.

  Roy played in bands his entire life including the Detroit Fire Department Band, the Lakeland Concert Band  in Florida and  the community bands in Harbor Springs, Charlevoix and East Jordan.  Roy played mostly the tuba and  the baritone.

  Roy is survived by his wife, Patricia Messink of East Jordan; one daughter, Karen Louise (Lee) Symonds of East Jordan; two sons, Brian Roy (Emma) Messink of Redford and Roy Barron (Alexis) Messink of Florida; one granddaughter, Andrea (Phil Parr) Symonds; one great grandson, Benson Parr; seven stepchildren, Michael (Barbara) Ruhlman of Charlevoix, Jeani Mead of Florida, Roberta (Robert) Nemecek of East Jordan, Denise (James) Brown of East Jordan, Mary Damery of Alpena, Anthony (Melanie) Ruhlman of South Carolina and Renee (Ben Blecha) Ruhlman of Nebraska; twelve step grandchildren; and nine step great grandchildren.  He was also preceded in death by his parents; a son, Christian Bruce Messink; two grandsons, Michael Messink and Kyle Symonds; one daughter-in-law, Pam Messink; and one sister, Lenora Neal.

  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Jordan.  Rev. Fr. Matthew Furgiuele will officiate with interment following at St. Joseph Calvary Cemetery, East Jordan.

  The family will receive friends on Monday, July 7th from  4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc., East Jordan. 

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