MESSAGE FOR IRENE MINER June 23, 2014 Lillian “Irene” Miner, a homemaker, passed away June 21, 2014, at the Selma Markowitz Hospice Care Center. She was born June 26, 1920, in Newark, to the late Robert S. and Bernice M. (Weakley) Richardson. Lillian was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church and a volunteer at Licking Memorial Hospital. She was a former member of VFW, Druids, Eagles, and Moose. She is survived by her son, Jack Lautenschlager of Thornville; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren, and twelve great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Carl E. Miner; daughter, Sandy Landis, and two great-great-grandchildren. GONE FROM MY SIGHT I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her sails to the breeze And starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length She hangs like a speck of white cloud Just where the sea and the sky Come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, “There she is gone!” “Gone where?” Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar As she was when she left my side And she is just as able to bear her load of living freight To her destined port. Here diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, “There she is gone!” There are other eyes watching her coming, And other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!” And that is dying. Henry Van Dyke The Sheep and the Goats Matthew 25:31-40 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ This passage describes Irene to me…a person who demonstrated her faith in Christ with a life of love. Irene loved Newark: grew up near Union St. in the great depression, had a wagon and searched for bottles to get a deposit on. This was her home. Irene loved her family: she always had something great to say about all her family members and truly saw the best in everybody. She took care of Carl with amazing respect, dedication and devotion. …a true care giver. Irene loved people: church, clubs, activities, volunteering at the hospital. She wanted to be with and serve others. • A person filled with gratitude and praise to the Lord. Always wanted to give thanks for God’s goodness in her life at services. Irene loved her church family: serving at funerals, helping Chris Wintermute, Bible study groups • …faithful to come with Dolores to services and even to my Bible class on Tuesday afternoons right up until a few weeks ago! • A cute memory is taking the youth to her home Christmas caroling…she and Carl were dressed up in cute matching flannel pajamas…the kids will never forget the appreciation she had for their visit. Irene loved Jesus…she had a living a personal relationship with Christ. The hymn, “In the Garden” describes it so well, “And he walks with me and he talks with me. And He tells me I am his own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” • But as good as she was…she too was a sinner in need of a Savior and she would be the first to admit it. We all need a Savior. That is why God sent Jesus, to die on that old rugged cross for you and me. …to take our place so that we could be forgiven on his behalf. This world would be a better place if we all were more grateful and kind like Irene. Heaven would be a happier place if we would give our sins to God and ask Jesus to be our Savior and Lord. We don’t want to see any of you missing on that great day. Amen Prayer: Thank you, Heavenly Father, for sending us a beautiful person…Irene Miner. Thank you for her example of faith and love to all of us. I pray that you would forgive me my many sins. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for me. Come into my heart and be my Savior and Lord. In Jesus’ Name. Amen
Posted on: Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:28:06 +0000