03/09/2026
Judy K. Messer
In Loving Memory
A Beloved Wife and Mother – Judy Kay Messer
February 19, 1944 – March 7, 2026
We are both saddened & pleased to announce the heavenly promotion of Judy Kay Messer, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, & great grandmother on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Born on the banks of Lake Cadillac to Paul A. and Grace V. Burkholder on February 19, 1944, few could have imagined at that time where life would take Judy. Following a brief career as the Schwartz Dairy Girl and key clarinetist for the Eaton Rapids Greyhounds, she graduated from the Henry Ford School of Nursing in 1965. Subsequent to starting her nursing career at Bronson Methodist Hospital, she met her future husband, Larry T. Messer, on a college & career canoe trip on the Pere Marquette River in 1967.
After marrying Larry on Friday, August 23, 1968 (and it was reported to be the true “hot” event of the Eaton Rapids summer social season), Larry and Judy moved to Dallas, Texas, where Larry attended Dallas Theological Seminary from 1970 – 1974. While in Texas, Judy worked as both a Registered Nurse at Baylor Medical Center and chief typist for Larry. Stories abound of cheap steak dinners and fresh pecan pies made from trees in the front yard – but video evidence from that period is admittedly hard to come by.
Now fully educated – and fresh out of money with two young boys in tow (Mark & Jonathan) – Larry & Judy returned to Michigan and settled on the west side of Kalamazoo in 1974. In 1975 Larry & Judy built a house in Oshtemo and welcomed Sara to the family (who Judy would later call her “cutest baby”). After attaining the title “The Bishop of Oshtemo,” Larry & Judy would serve in a pastoral capacity until called to the mission field in Ireland in 1985. During that 10-year period, Judy worked on-call as a Registered Nurse at Bronson Methodist Hospital and became an expert user of the families mimeograph machine (there was always something to type).
Judy’s professional mission career began in earnest in the summer of 1985 when the entire family moved to Cork, Ireland. After clearing out her first kitchen of all the slugs that would magically appear overnight, Judy settled into the homemaker role, developing a well-deserved reputation for excellent home cooked meals and baked goodies. If you asked her children, they would say the after school homemade pudding was “on point.”
After 5 years in Ireland, Larry & Judy transitioned to Battle Creek Bible Church, where Larry became lead pastor in 1991. As Judy’s typing load decreased during this transition, Judy found herself playing the organ, involved in small group ministry, and working more in the nursery, where she willingly served for many decades. In addition, Judy continued to work on call as a Registered Nurse in several extended care facilities in Calhoun County for many years.
Upon retiring to the quiet country life in Scotts, MI, in 2017, Judy continued to support Larry in his pastoral role and enjoyed spending time with family & friends. Trips to Shipshewana and the Essenhaus were frequent, along with game nights with beloved friends like the Scheffers, the “Mayor of Oshtemo,” and his wife (the Sowles). and to cap off most evening - a small bowl of ice cream “just like Martha Burkholder.”
And now for the obligatory information Judy would want you to know:
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Grace Burkholder, and her brother, Jeffery Burkholder. Surviving family members:Larry T. Messer – husband of 57 years (Scotts, Michigan)Children:Mark (Valerie) Messer – Kalamazoo, MichiganJonathan (Rasheda) Messer – Ypsilanti, MichiganSara (Jeff) Steele – Scotts, Michigan12 grandchildren (especially Makenzy) & 7 great-grandchildrenSisters:Jeralyn (Jerry) Wichert – Hamburg, MichiganConnie (Randy) Harris – Simpsonville, South CarolinaDonna (Jeff) Messer – Monticello, IndianaJoyce (Charles) Wideman – Grand Rapids, MichiganBrother/Sister-in-Law:Thomas Schauer – Canton, OhioLisa Messer – Grass Lake, Michigan
Closing note from Larry T. Messer: Judy’s fingerprints have been all over my life and ministry for the past 57 years. While the breadth and scope of her impact go far beyond what can be written here, Judy and I had the privilege to minister together across four continents, including our 5 years in Ireland along with memorable trips to cold-war Eastern Europe, Mali, West Africa, and Cochabamba, Bolivia, where Judy became fondly known as the “The High-Altitude Lady.”
As wonderful as our earthly union has been, what’s ahead of us will be, as Paul said, ‘far better’ (Philippians 1:23)
In heaven, I’ll love Judy more perfectly and purely than I’ve ever been able to on earth. Our time will be more precious, and we won’t have to worry about illness, hospitalizations, or misunderstandings. We’ll love each other without stress or fatigue. Without worry or weariness, I will love her with a passion I never know on earth, and by God’s grace she will feel the same about me.
And together, we, along with you, will be the bride of Christ, loving and serving and enjoying Him, world without end!
(Adapted from “The Promise of Heaven” by Dr. David Jeremiah)
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