Memorial Service of _____
Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis, Michigan
Pastor Greg Buchner, Officiating
March 1, 2004 ~ 11 a.m.
Time of Visitation/Gathering
Greeting
Good afternoon…
We’ve come to this point in time to remember a young lady who was with us for what would have been 90 years today. Grandma _____ touched the lives of her family and friends as no one else could. And for that reason, she will be remembered long after our time here.
We’ve also come to mourn our loss. While the immediate family will probably notice the loss more physically, each one of us, recognized by our attendance here, will also mourn in our own way. We can do so will full assurance because it was Jesus who told us, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
And as I pastor, I want you to know that we may also come realizing that God is not
immune to our emotions.
As a Heavenly Father, God already knows what his children are feeling, he felt it too as his Son was on the cross.
As the All-knowing God, he already knows what we’re thinking, because the Bible says that his Spirit witnesses to ours, in short, he mourns our loss too.
And as the Ever-present God, he already knows what we’re experiencing, through the life, death, and resurrection, of his Son, Jesus Christ, God has experienced all that there is to experience. He’s been there.
In fact, in the Old Testament we find Scriptures that say, “The eternal God is our dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27)” and “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18).” and “The Lord heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power, whose understanding is beyond all measure.”
In short, I believe that we are not alone this morning, but that God, himself, is here with us. And since he is, we can mourn, we can be honest with what we’re feeling, and we can remember _____ as she was, as we take this moment turning to God, allowing him to comfort us in her memory.
Opening Prayer
Will you join me in prayer?
Gracious God, make us aware of the shortness and uncertainty of our human lives, and let
your Spirit lead us in the right ways of living. So that when we have served you in our generation, we may gather with those who have gone on before us, confident in our faith, comforted by your hope, in favor with you, and in peace with all your creation.
Be with those gathered here. May my words be your words. And may your presence bring a sense of hope, a sense of healing, and a sense of comfort. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Time of Witnessing
_____ came into this world March 1, 1914 as a very special gift to a young coupled named _____. As a lifetime area resident, _____ grew as she attended school and at age twenty-two, she continued to be a very special gift when she married _____ on April 10, 1936.
For almost fifty-seven years, that relationship stayed the course of time. ___ and _____ had four children, who in turn had twelve children, who in turn had another thirty-six children. And, in many ways, the gift that had been received way back in 1914 multiplied through the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Three of those family members have offered their memories…
***
Heather remembers that _____ could float on water for hours. Each of the grandchildren would try to out-do her, but to no avail. She remembers _____’s incredible knack for knitting, especially the slippers, towels, and blankets she would make for everyone – family, friends, and friends of friends. Even to the point of making bug swatters that said, “Bug Off” on them.
She also remembers that _____ like playing a game they called “hair salon.” Heather remembers playing for hours doing perms and crazy-do’s all the time, and especially on the weekend when she would spend the night with her.
***
Daughter, Joyce, remembers that she was a very caring person always taking care of some one else. She remembers growing up in a home where goulash was commonly on the stove and the house was always open not just to the kids, but also to the friends from school as well. In fact, I heard a story from the family about some lunch money saved because of _____’s hospitality.
Later, as the kids grew, _____ was still there to feed and entertain. Sundays were the day when the whole family, with their friends, were welcome around the dinner table.
And on those days, when Joyce’s family made to Buchanan to hill climb, they stopped by to see her often.
Joyce remembers that _____ was someone “born with wheels.” She would ride anywhere, anytime, for any reason. She was a great shopper, and there was never such a thing as a bad garage sale.
Joyce also remembered her mother’s buoyancy. She remembers how much _____ loved the water. She would swim like a fish on Diamond Lake, and she made sure that all of her children, and some of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, knew how to swim as well.
And then there’s the camping trips. Although Pentwater was a favored spot, you never knew where the campsite was going to be until you got there. It was just one of the many times, where _____ could do what she loved to do, to be mom, to be grandmother.
***
And then there’s Carol. Carol remembers her mother not only as mom, but as a best friend! There are so many things they shared in life, and they had a good time doing so.
Good times or bad, she remembers mom as someone who was always there for her, no matter what.
Over the past eleven years, as she lived with Carol and the family, Carol remembers their long talks, shopping trips, family get-togethers, and much more.
While her father always joked about Carol being a mistake, since mom was forty-one when she had her, making her the youngest of four, there was no lack of love for one another in the home that _____ made for her family.
Carol said, that while _____ will be missed, and sometimes she wonders how she’s going to make it, it’s in those times she looks upon her mother’s strength and her love, and then she knows that everything will be OK.
***
In sitting with some of the family last night, I heard some other things as well about _____…
…she was a great Bingo player
…she taught anyone interested how to cook
…she spent some time working at Esseg Wire.
…she like playing pinochle.
…she taught the Brownies and Girl Scouts
…and she helped at the VFW with dinners and luncheons.
…she loved listening to Bing Crosby and Lawrence Welk and looked forward to watching
“White Christmas” every Christmas season.
Personal Time of Remembrance – “Amazing Grace “ – ____
But now its your turn. As _____ comes forward to sing, I invite you to remember _____ in your own way. What memories will she leave with you? What stories will you share? Who was this person to you?
***
I personally remember having a conversation with _____ one time as I was visiting the neighborhood. During our whole conversation, I noticed that she never talked about herself.
She talked about her kids and their lives. She lived her life for her children, their children, and her children’s children. And only after some prodding, did she tell me some of the struggles she was having.
We talked just a little about her faith. Her family tells me that she was a Methodist and made sure that her children were at Sunday School every Sunday possible. But when she talked of her faith, I remember her speaking as if God and her had this whole thing worked out.
She was Grandma _____. It didn’t matter who you were, if you were in need, and she could help, she would be there.
Even in the midst of her struggles, in the midst of her pains, she knew that there was something greater than herself out there. And I have to believe that her loving, caring, and giving nature was a direct result this relationship she shared with her Creator.
I believe that she would agree with the Psalmist when he penned the familiar words of the 23rd Psalm…
Old Testament Reading – Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annoitest my head
with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
This was _____ And for a time, God gave us this most precious gift. Through that gift, some of us here have family. Through that gift, some of us here we have had friendships. Through that gift, everyone who knew her has an example from which they can learn.
To the remaining family and friends, it is said that death may end our lives, but it can never end our relationships. So, let this caring, giving, loving ninety-year-old be a testimony in your lives. Family will remain family. Friends will remain friends. Death cannot stop that.
In fact, God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to ensure that those who put their faith and trust in Him, by asking for forgiveness and looking for His leadership in their lives, will no longer see death as an ending, but just a pit-stop on the way to something greater. _____ was definitely on her way to something greater.
And when those memories of _____ drop into your consciousness, you will have no choice but to chuckle as you see her floating along in a lake or standing over a pot of goulash.. Cherish those times. Share those times with each other.
New Testament Reading – John 16:20, 22
And when the times are at their toughest, I invite you turn to Christ. I know that he understands.
When he was preparing the disciples for his eventual departure, he told them, “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn into joy…Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:20,22). _____ was indeed a gift given for a short time. May we remember and be thankful for that gift always.
Final Prayer of Committal
Will you join me in prayer…
Eternal God,
You have shared with us this gift of life. Before _____ was ours, she was yours. For all that she has given to us to make us what we are, for that of her, which lives and grows in each of us, and for her life that in your love will never end, we give you thanks.
Gracious God, if it be your will, receive _____ into the arms of your mercy, raise her up with all your people. For it’s into your hands, we commend her spirit.
And as we offer her back into your arms, comfort us in our loneliness, strengthen us in our weakness, and give us courage to face the future unafraid. We give you thanks for the many things she has given to us We give you thanks for your comforting spirit in these
days.
Draw those of us who remain in this life closer to one another, make us faithful to serve one another, and give us to know that peace and joy which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord in whom we pray….Amen.
Announcements
Before we dismiss this afternoon, the family has asked I announce that everyone is invited to the luncheon, which will be taking place at the VFW just south of Marcellus on M40.
Benediction
Let us stand…
May the Lord bless us and keep us.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us.
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon us and give us peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)
In the name of Christ, this is our prayer…Amen.
