Grandpa's Send-off

*family: click on any photos to enlarge & save to your computer

It was the most touching funeral I've experienced, mostly because he is the first of our immediate family to leave the circle, and partly due to his story of redemption after spending many years away from the Lord. But it's all how you finish, and did he ever...several times we heard directed to Grandma, "His testimony in his final months and days are your gift for being faithful and for all your prayers for him." The weekend was spent crying, laughing, and wiping tears again. He was a remarkable, driven, and at times, cynical man, with a low Doofus-Tolerance Level--I think a nicer way to say it is that he didn't "suffer fools gladly" or some such. He was also a guy with one-liners out the wazoo, and many of us had zingers to remember and tell. When my brother spent a weekend with him, he wrote down a few of them as they were dropped during conversation, which included: "It rains on the just and the unjust, but mostly on the just, because the unjust stole the just man's umbrella." and "Buy two of everything; one for you, one for the thief." and "Let's not be stupid!" and "If it's bought right, it's half-sold."

After becoming born-again at about the age of 40, they left the Amish church for an evangelical congregation, and soon thereafter a Fire was lit in Grandpa. He was testifying, witnessing, and being a mentor to other families seeking Truth. One of those people preached his funeral sermon! Even though he fell away in later years, the seeds continued to bear fruit. It was another reminder that God will use anyone, any time, in spite of ourselves, to accomplish His purpose.

I've had some ask me to post some photos, and I want to do it tastefully. I hope they don't appear macabre and icky, especially to those of you who aren't family. I've chosen a couple that are my favorites.

Uncle Kenny, Uncle Lyle, Dad, Great-Uncle Sam, Grandpa's brother

It was unusual to see sand, rather than sod. That morning my brother and cousins had hand-dug it, according to FL law. All the grandchildren and great-granchildren put roses in on top of his casket. In front you see Ava and my brother, Bruce. Behind her, my sister, Veronica, behind her, our family, including my two other brothers.

This next one may appear unseemly...let me explain. Ever since we were little--and even before that--smily faces were a trademark of Grandpa's. He put them on the grain tanks his business built (giant yellow stickers beside the business name), he scrawled them on his correspondence, and every birthday card we got had one beside his note to us. At the grave, my brothers were talking amongst themselves that if they had a marker, they'd put his last trademark on his grave. My sister found one in her purse, and after a blessing to go ahead from Uncle Amos, Brad did so through his tears. None of us knew what they were doing, so when it became evident, a little murmur and tears traveled across the group as we recognized the symbol and its significance to our family.


Dad had gotten small shovels for the great-grandchildren, so even the small ones could help cover his grave. It made for another memorable moment for them.

From left Fred & Aunt Becky, Aunt Judy, Aunt Laura Beth, Grandma, Dad, Mom
Second row: G.U. Sam, G.A. Amanda, G.A. Anna, G.A. Laura, Uncle Martin
Back row: Cousin Mary Lou, Schwartz family

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My salvation."

Psalm 91
(Grandpa's favorite passage)

*thanks to Uncle Amos for several of these photos!