Amanda Lynn Messerly, 20, died Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007, approximately 5 miles east of Fort Belknap Agency on U.S. Highway 2 from injuries due to a vehicle accident.
Wake services will begin today at 4 p.m. in the Red Whip Center with a service of remembrance at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11 a. m. in the Red Whip Center with burial following at the Messerly Family Cemetery at Lodge Pole. Amanda was born in Havre on March 1, 1987, to Rachel (Messerly) Cochran and Ralph Talks Different. She was adopted by Glen and Mary Leona Messerly and was raised at Fort Belknap. Amanda attended elementary school in Harlem and high school in Dodson and graduated from Harlem High School in May of 2006. She enjoyed playing basketball, football and golf. Amanda placed overall in all three categories for the “Punt, Pass, & Kick” in 1996 and went on to win the State Title. She enjoyed firefighting, working in the mountains, various types of music and chicken dancing. Amanda was a very loving and caring person. All the small children loved Amanda as much as she loved them. She had a big heart and was always there for friends and family. When Amanda knew of someone in need of help or someone that was hurting, she was there to lend a helping hand or just an “ear” to listen. She was active member of the Fort Belknap Volunteer Fire Department and worked as a detention officer for the Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services, which she enjoyed both very much. Amanda loved to sing and dance and loved her sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews very much, along with two very special people, Richard Hoops and Robert Bell. Amanda spent a lot of time with each of them. She will be greatly missed by family, friends, and all that knew her. She is survived by her mother, Rachel (Mike) Cochran; father, Ralph (Missy) Talks Different; sisters, Natasha Talks Different, Tylynn Messerly and Janae Talks Different; brothers, Todd Messerly, Seth Talks Different, Moses Lawrence, Derek Gunn and Phillip Talks Different; adopted sisters, Diane (Robert) Healy, Shirley (Jim) Bell, Barbara (Bobby) Ball and Roberta M. (Elgin) Johnson; adopted brothers, Mike (Mary Ann) Messerly, Dean (Ramona) Messerly, Doug (Roberta) Messerly, Gordon (Susan) Messerly, David (Bobbi) Messerly and Leon Messerly; aunts, Terri Ann Messerly, Dana Bear, Angie Buckman, Joan (Stanley) Johnson, Carol Lavallie, Ester (Byard) Lamebull and Lena (Dan) Horn; uncles, Richard Messerly, Theodore “Ted” Bell, Jr., Tony Matt, Denver Buckman, Alvin (Alrita) Talks Different, Ira (Annie) Talks Different, Sherman (Roberta) Lavallie, Tyke Lavallie, Virgil (Pam) Talks Different, Gene (Amanda) Talks Different, Alvah Talks Different and Kim Norquay, Sr.;grandparents, Charlie (Danna) Buckman, Glenda (Jerry Horn) Messerly, Alvin”Cubby” and Helen Talks Different; and numerous nieces, nephews and many special friends. Amanda was preceded in death by great-grandparents (adopted parents), Glen and Mary Leona Messerly; adopted brother, Robert Messerly, Sr.; adopted sisters, Marjorie Snell and Carol Jean Bell; greatgrandparents, Joe and Josephine White Cow, Harold Bearcub, Louise Wing, Ada Blackbird and Martin Buckman. Arrangements are made by Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.
