IKE’ MESSIER, Obituary, Fergus Co., MT

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Lewistown paper    no date

"Ike" Messier, long-time Lewistown resident dies

Isaac P. “Ike” Messier, pioneer auto mechanic and a resident of central Montana for almost 70 years, died Tuesday 
afternoon at the Central Montana Hospital.  He had been ill a little over two weeks.

Messier, 79, started his automotive career in 1910 when he went to work at frank Doran’s garage in Lewistown.  He and 
his brother, Slim, opened their own auto repair business, Messier Bros. Motor Co., in 1921.  For many years they 
operated the only wrecked service in a 100-mile radius of Lewistown.

Messier often spoke of how he had repaired gasoline, Electric and steam-powered automobiles and had worked on every 
size engine from one to 16 cylinders.

He was born December 24, 1891 in Lead, SD, the son of Mr. Mrs. Joseph Messier.  He received his schooling in South 
Dakota, Massachusetts and Montana.  As a boy, he lived for a brief time in Quebec, Canada and Massachusetts.

The family moved to the old gold mining town of New Year in the Judith Mountains near Lewistown in March 1902.  
The following fall they moved to an area in the Missouri River breaks near the mouth of the Musselshell,  Messier 
moved to Lewistown in 1910.

He was married to the former Ruth Covert February 1, 1917 in Lewistown.  Except for two years when they lived in 
Tacoma, WA, they made their home continuously in Lewistown since that time.

He was a member of the Lewistown Eagles Lodge and attend the First United Methodist Church.

In addition to his widow, Ruth, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. R. W. (Mary) Daley of Missoula and Mrs. Bert 
(Roberta) Donovan of Lewistown; two sisters, Mrs. Harry (Blanche) Foster of Townsend and Mrs. Martin (Georgianna) 
Geis of Clarkstone, WA; ten grandchildren, and four great, grandchildren.  

He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Aaron; his parents; and several brothers and sisters.

Funeral services are scheduled Friday at 2 p m at the Cloyd Funeral Home.  The Rev. Robert Dragoo, retired Evangelical 
United brethren Minister, will officiate.  Friends who wish to do so may leave memorials to the cardiac care unit of the 
Central Montana Hospital