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Naoma Ruth Messier

Naoma Ruth Messier

CHOCOLAY TOWNSHIP, MI – former Chocolay Township resident, Naoma “Ruth” Messier, age 95, entered eternal life Sunday evening, June 9, 2019, at The Lighthouse At Ishpeming.

Born February 15, 1924, in Creal Springs, Illinois, a daughter of Walter and Bessie (Simms) Travelstead, Ruth was raised in Creal Springs. Following graduation from high school, where she did very well in her math and English studies, Ruth joined her three sisters and traveled to the Detroit area to serve as “Rosie the Riveters”. It was during World War II and like so many young women of their time, the four sisters were employed at the Cadillac Motors Plant, which had been converted to the war effort, helping manufacture tanks and parts. It was there she met her future husband, Leonard Ray Lawson. Following his discharge from the Navy, the couple relocated to the Upper Peninsula, a place Leonard had worked years before in the Civilian Conservations Corps camps. They made their home in a small cabin in the Harvey area and began raising a family. Following Leonard’s death in 1960, Ruth went to work as a ward clerk at St. Luke’s Hospital. She later married Paul Messier and the couple moved to County Road 480 in Chocolay Township. Throughout the years, Ruth was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was particularly active at the church camp, Presbytery Point, assisting yearly as a camp counselor and with craft projects for the children. Ruth always kept busy and was very generous with her time, helping anyone who might need their home cleaned, caregiver to the elderly and ill, and always with no thought of reward. She was especially known for her fine baking skills, especially when it came to bread making. She also enjoyed canning vegetables, making delicious jellies in season, and passing her skills on to her family. Her children remember her having them pick blueberries and her enjoyment of rock collecting with her son. And, who could ever forget the time she bagged an eight-point buck during deer season!

A loving mother and grandparent, Ruth is survived by her children, Nancy (Bruce) Richards of Gwinn, Leonard (Sharon) Lawson of Lawrence, KS, and Linda (Clint) Libby of Harvey; her six grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and one great great-granddaughter, Naoma; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and first husband, Leonard;Ruth was preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses, Ferne (Carl) Reed, Esther (Frank) Carter, Mae (Floyd) Jack, Jack (Myrtle) Travelstead, Wayne (Betty) Travelstead, Eugene (Edna) Travelstead, and Marvin (Marie) Travelstead; and a grandson, Brian.

Arrangements for a memorial gathering will be forthcoming.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com