ELKHART -- Barney James Messick, 86, of Elkhart, died at 7:15 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 7, 2009) in Elkhart General Hospital.

He was born Sept. 30, 1923, in Manchester, Tenn., to J.Q. and Myrtle (Brown) Messick. He married Anita Marie Robinson on March 2, 1957, in Woodbury, Tenn.

She survives along with four sons, Brian (Robin) Messick of Middlebury, Jeff (Kim) Messick of Elkhart and Dallas, Darren (Cathy) Messick of Indianapolis and Stephen (Christine) Messick of Goshen; two brothers, Ralph (Bobbie) Messick of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Jerry Messick of St. Louis; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and eight step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Chrisly Arlen Messick, Evans Messick and Jessie Pearl Green.

Mr. Messick served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and in the U.S. Army during the Korean War before he was honorably discharged in 1956. He was employed by Miles Laboratory in Elkhart for the last 17 years of his career, retiring in 1989.

He attended the Calvary Assembly of God in Elkhart for many years. In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening and riding his bicycle.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola and one hour prior to the 10 a.m. funeral service Wednesday at Calvary Assembly of God, 1010 E. Mishawaka Road, Elkhart.

Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chapelhillmemorial.com.

Memorials may be given to Calvary Assembly of God.