James Stephen 'Steve' Messick, 53

MILTON - James Stephen "Steve" Messick, of Milton and Rochester, N.Y., died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008, at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester. He was 53.

Steve was born Dec. 24, 1954, in Milford.

He was a graduate of Milford High School and served in the U.S. Navy.

Steve was employed in the masonry field for many years.

He loved football, baseball and NASCAR racing, and enjoyed trips to the Poconos, the Great Lakes of New York, the beach and the gathering in Wellsville, Ohio.

Steve was preceded in death by his mother, Beatrice Jane (Glasco) Sutcliff.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Karen (Rook) Messick; parents, James P. and Susanne Messick of Milton; two sisters, Beverly Young and Karen Appel, both of Georgetown; stepsister, Michele Warren of Milton; stepbrother, Miles Norwood of Milton; the five children in his life, including his daughter, Brittany Cunningham, and Thomas Graham and his wife Valerie, Jennifer Maylone and her husband Daniel, John Graham and Michael Bostwick and his wife Raechel; his most joyful moments were those spent with the grandchildren, Malechi, Desiree, Dana, Xavier, Kaitlynn, Hailey and Daniel. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Sharon Murray; brother-in-law, Thomas Frisch; six nieces, Jennifer, Lori, Sherri, Patricia, Rosemary and Cathleen; two great-nieces; three great-nephews; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 N.W. Front St., Milford, where friends may call after 1 p.m.

Interment will be in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.

A reception will be held at the home of Thomas and Valerie Graham, 113 N. Fairfield Drive, Dover, following the funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 26, Wellsville, OH 43968, the church of Steve's choice far and near; or Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.