"What I tried to say at the funeral was harder to get out than I expected. Having grown up just a few doors down you all were like a second family. Not just to me but to all of us and my entire family considers it a blessing to have known you all. I had the privelage of watching Cody at least once a week (sometimes more) starting pretty much at birth. Cody became such a big part of my life and my heart in a way I never expected. I loved that little boy like he was my own. As the years went by and Cody grew from a baby, to a little boy, to a teenager and finally to a man, in my eyes and in my heart he stayed that sweet, chubby, precious little baby. It didn't matter how big he got, he was still and will always be my little Codester. His one of a kind and unforgettable laugh still rings in my ears and his adorable chubby smile is forever etched in my memory.
My heart is all too familiar with the pain you all are feeling over his loss. Be kind to one another as Cody was to you, and love one another as Cody loved you all. His heart was so big, and he loved so much that even at such a young age his work here on earth with us was done and God called him home. I pray you all find peace and comfort knowing he is now with 2 of the people (his Grandma & Grandpa) that he loved most, and that loved him most in the world. What is our loss here, is truly heaven's gain. Nobody knew heaven could be any sweeter or be any brighter until Cody came and lit it up with his laugh and smile.
I pray peace finds your hearts. May God hold you close and send you every comfort you need as you let go. Much love to you all! "
In loving memory of
Dakota Messmann
December 28, 1996 - January 6, 2020
Dakota "Cody" Lee Messmann, 23, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Monday morning, January 6, 2020 from injuries sustained in a car accident. Born December 28, 1996 at Whitley Memorial Hospital, he was the son of Chuck Lucarelli and Nicole Messman-Green.
As a boy, Dakota enjoyed playing video games, shooting air soft guns and playing with ERTL Farm toys. He soon found a love and interest in Civil War history and horses. He always had a love for animals and even his first job was with the Humane Society of Whitley County. He also had worked at McDonalds in Fort Wayne, Dunham's Sports, helped his mom at New China and for the past 3 years, he worked at Precision Plastics. Dakota also had volunteered with The Center in Columbia City.
He loved being with his friends, enjoyed shooting guns, building projects and working on vehicles with his dads and friends. Dakota was passionate, loving, sweet and thoughtful. He had a big, big heart of gold and was always smiling and had a contagious laugh. He was a hard worker and a person you could count on.
Survivors include his father and step-mother, Chuck and Kimberly Lucarelli of Huntertown; mother and step-father, Nicole Messmann-Green and Anthony Green; siblings, Anthony Lucarelli, Emma Dill, Lena Lucarelli and Bailey Green; grandmother, Linda Lucarelli; special aunts and uncles, Kristy (Spencer Reinewald, Dani (Jared) Hesting and Kurt Messmann and several other aunts, uncles, cousins and non-blood family. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dennis and Marilyn Messmann, Geraldine Green Garrett, Santini "Luke" and Rae Lucarelli; and great-grandmother, Anna Wesche
A gathering of family and friends from 1-3:45 p.m. Sunday, January 12, 2020 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City with a funeral service to begin at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory toward his funeral expenses, I.C.O. DeMoney-Grimes. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send his family condolences online.
Tributes
"When we lived in Columbia City, Dakota spent a lot time with my son Dalton and our family. We moved away in August 2013. Every now and then Dakota would call and check in on us. He had such a big heart and we are truly blessed to have him in our lives! May God be with you Dakota and know that we all loved you and will miss you! The Bender family, Lock Haven, PA."
"May God give you strength in this time of grief and fond memories of Dakota Lee Messmann, CCHS Alumni Class of 2015. The Alumni of CCHS extends sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to Dakota's family. www.cchsaa.org per TLG "
"Nikki, I am so sorry for the loss of your son, Cody, With Deepest Sympathy to you and your family."
"Nicole, so very sorry for the loss of your son. May you find peace and comfort in your memories. Hugs and prayers, my friend."
"We, The Compassionate Friends, want you to know that you are not alone in your grief and loneliness. As parents who have also lost a child we understand your pain. The loss of a child is like no other loss. We are here to support and walk this journey with you.
The Compassionate Friends, Columbia City, IN Chapter
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"Dakota was a brother I never had. It was impossible to have a bad day. Keith and I were plan on taking him with us to Montana and own our own farm. He meant the world to so many people. I will never forget those late night parties dancing around doing paranormal stuff. You will always be on our minds and thoughts. Justice Gruber"
"Nicole sorry about your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you "
"Nicole,no words can express how truly sad we are for you all!! As a mother myself,I DON'T even know what or how to say I feel for you!! Cody was a truly big,kind,gentle soul and he will be missed!! I'm grateful to have gotten to know you both while sharing rides!! He was my break person Sunday nite,he told me about his girl drama, I told him as a woman myself I didn't even have the answers!! Always a great listener even if he didn't follow thru with our advice-Thank you for making such a good young man,they're few and very far between these days!! Thoughts and prayers are with you all"
"I?ll love you forever Cody. I will always see you as a little boy, I will never forget your laugh. We?ll see you when we get there. "
"Such a tragedy! My condolences, Nikki. Cody was such a wonderful young man. I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet & get to know him. He will be dearly missed. Whenever he is thought about he will always be nearby whomever is thinking about him. And remember that we are blessed for knowing him. - Katey I Campbell"
"I'm still in disbelief that dakota is gone but he was one of the bestest friends I've ever had he always lifted me up when I was down he was always a shoulder to cry on for me he knew me very well better than anyone ever has I'm so glad I had the privilege to have him in my life I'm gonna miss that bright smile that could light up a whole room and his hilarious goofy laugh that everyone loved . My heart is shattered that our time together here was cut short but god gets to choose when we all go home and god called Dakota home . Hes up in the sky being goofy and watching over all of us I'll never ever forget how amazing this boy was I love you nicole and I'm here to help you get through this your never gonna be alone! ? -kaylin "
"Nicole-My heart goes out to you and your family during these difficult times. May God Bless you and your family."
"I remember while we were still in school I think it was sophomore year in high school Dakota and I were going to agriculture class for landscaping and a guy walked by us that had been beating on a woman that he new and after Dakota saw him he ran up grabbed that boy by the collar and he raised his fist to clock that guy in the nose the one that was beating the woman had both hands in the air waiving them with a look of terror on his face when I saw it I was trying to break it up or at least keep Dakota from knockin him clear to the floor and getting himself in more trouble than he was already in but me and Dakota was that close of friends we looked out for one another. My deepest condolences to his family he was my greatest friend he was raised with dignity and honor and I?m glad I had the honor to be his friend"
"Messmann Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I had Dakota as a student in the Resource Department at CCHS. I was so sorry to hear of this awful news. Please know that you?re in my thoughts and prayers."
"Messmann family...we cannot tell you how very sorry we are for your loss. I know there is nothing we can say to take away the pain you are feeling, but know we are praying that you will feel comforted by all who know and love you and that you will find peace. Our thoughts and prayers will continue for you all. The Minear Family "
"To all the Messmann Family, our deepest sympathy for your loss. Gods comfort touch you now and always.
The Minear Family"
"I have heard many stories about this young man, through his Aunt Danelle Hesting. I can't imagine the pain you feel during this time. I hope the memories you have can bring you some laughter and smiles in the coming days. Thoughts and prayers from my family to yours. We are so sorry for your loss. Teresa DeWitt "
"May each of you find courage to face tomorrow as you rest in the knowledge that we truly care about each of your needs and that we will walk beside you in your journey of grief. Brett Gerber, Randy Grimes, Kris Hardiman and the Staff of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home "