Post by alberta on Feb 12, 2008 0:58:00 GMT -5
Subject: Rodey's funeral
Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:59:53 -0700
From Janet Dorey
Our week has been a full one as we head to Ft McMurray today. Many impressions have been made on our hearts as we see a beloved fellow labourer laid to rest and a 53 year old husband, father, brother, cowboy, friend gone to meet his Maker.
Rodey died on Sat. Perhaps the true details of his death will never be known. He was feeding cattle with his tractor...deep snow..got stuck...wheels spinning dug up the ground and chewed into a bale. He turned the tractor off, opened the door and got out. The tractor must have slid back into the rut squashing him between the tractor and the bale. Lois Stewart said his whole chest was caved in..he had presence of mind to phone 911 but Lois said his death would be quick. He did not die in the ambulance.
We got to the funeral home in Bonnyville for the viewing @ 10AM. We had stayed the night with John & Joanne. Robert & Wanda were there and family kept coming. Touching to see big men cry uncontrollably..even the brother workers. Lenore and the boys came..very calm and peaceful as they viewed the body. I believe they has seen him the night before. We were there until we left for lunch and ended up eating with Lorne and Derek.
It wasn't hard to spot the Arena building as hordes of cars and people arrived. We entered and were soon seated by the chosen ushers. People kept coming and coming until nearly all the chairs were full resulting in a crowd of over 1400 people...friends from all over AB..BC ..Sask
Worldly people made up two thirds of the crowd with lots of men in cowboy hats and boots. The principal from the boys' school was there plus several students. Everyone was quiet and respectful. The Bonnyville and Cold Lake church folks sat behind the mourners and were seated as they came in. The casket was behind a curtain for people to choose to view. Rodey looked very natural.
Willis read the obituary and prayed. We heard that Rodey made his choice to serve God when he was 13 years of age..a choice that channelled the rest of his life. All his companions were listed and it was special that Dale McDermitt was able to come as he was on of them.
Willis had such a lovely prayer in thankfulness for all that Jesus means to us.
We sang "God is faithful" and then Niles Bennett had a part. Rodey had worked for Roy McNary and Niles worked with him before he was in the work..He spoke about the gifts that Rodey had but above it all was what he was before God. Then we sang the family song.."Was it for me" often sung by the family in the car with each having a part of harmony when they were travelling. Tracy Staples had such a real part since she and Marci Howden had been with the family since Sat. She spoke about life like a tale that is told. Enoch walked with God and he was not because God took him. Rodey walked with God and he was not because God took him. Mentioned how Rodey's life has touched us all because he lived his faith. Next the nieces and nephews sang that hymn Willis wrote about the sweet peace of heaven. It was sung in parts with the aid of a mike and was absolutely beautiful.
Merlin Affleck spoke about the colt that was tied and then had the privilege of bearing Jesus into Jerusalem. told of the gosple coming..of how gently Rodey handled horses...of the breaking by surrender and then having the privilege of bearing Jesus before the world and into the holy new Jerusalem as eternity.
We then sang "I will journey all the way with my Redeemer."
Everyone filed past the family as Lenore wanted to see all who came. We gathered outside in the snowy breeze and watch as they loaded the coffin on to a cart drawn by a beautiful pair of black horses. Next came a pair of golden Clydes. drawing a chariot for the family Then men on horses leading Rodey's horse with no rider. Then the two funeral limosines....and off they went to be back in about 20 minutes. It was done very respectfully and was quite touching.
Rodey died exactly ten months later than his brother Dan who professed and died in Feb of last year.
The lucheon was a special time of mingling and I got to meet some of the cowboys...one was Garnier from Dewberry who knew where Landonville was.
Rodey's life was indeed a tribute to the community and a great example to us as God's people in what was his first love.
We came last night and stayed with Joy Jensen which was very special.
Thanks Janet .
PS..we have now arrived safely @ Ft McMurray @ Alders.
.........................................................................................
Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:59:53 -0700
From Janet Dorey
Our week has been a full one as we head to Ft McMurray today. Many impressions have been made on our hearts as we see a beloved fellow labourer laid to rest and a 53 year old husband, father, brother, cowboy, friend gone to meet his Maker.
Rodey died on Sat. Perhaps the true details of his death will never be known. He was feeding cattle with his tractor...deep snow..got stuck...wheels spinning dug up the ground and chewed into a bale. He turned the tractor off, opened the door and got out. The tractor must have slid back into the rut squashing him between the tractor and the bale. Lois Stewart said his whole chest was caved in..he had presence of mind to phone 911 but Lois said his death would be quick. He did not die in the ambulance.
We got to the funeral home in Bonnyville for the viewing @ 10AM. We had stayed the night with John & Joanne. Robert & Wanda were there and family kept coming. Touching to see big men cry uncontrollably..even the brother workers. Lenore and the boys came..very calm and peaceful as they viewed the body. I believe they has seen him the night before. We were there until we left for lunch and ended up eating with Lorne and Derek.
It wasn't hard to spot the Arena building as hordes of cars and people arrived. We entered and were soon seated by the chosen ushers. People kept coming and coming until nearly all the chairs were full resulting in a crowd of over 1400 people...friends from all over AB..BC ..Sask
Worldly people made up two thirds of the crowd with lots of men in cowboy hats and boots. The principal from the boys' school was there plus several students. Everyone was quiet and respectful. The Bonnyville and Cold Lake church folks sat behind the mourners and were seated as they came in. The casket was behind a curtain for people to choose to view. Rodey looked very natural.
Willis read the obituary and prayed. We heard that Rodey made his choice to serve God when he was 13 years of age..a choice that channelled the rest of his life. All his companions were listed and it was special that Dale McDermitt was able to come as he was on of them.
Willis had such a lovely prayer in thankfulness for all that Jesus means to us.
We sang "God is faithful" and then Niles Bennett had a part. Rodey had worked for Roy McNary and Niles worked with him before he was in the work..He spoke about the gifts that Rodey had but above it all was what he was before God. Then we sang the family song.."Was it for me" often sung by the family in the car with each having a part of harmony when they were travelling. Tracy Staples had such a real part since she and Marci Howden had been with the family since Sat. She spoke about life like a tale that is told. Enoch walked with God and he was not because God took him. Rodey walked with God and he was not because God took him. Mentioned how Rodey's life has touched us all because he lived his faith. Next the nieces and nephews sang that hymn Willis wrote about the sweet peace of heaven. It was sung in parts with the aid of a mike and was absolutely beautiful.
Merlin Affleck spoke about the colt that was tied and then had the privilege of bearing Jesus into Jerusalem. told of the gosple coming..of how gently Rodey handled horses...of the breaking by surrender and then having the privilege of bearing Jesus before the world and into the holy new Jerusalem as eternity.
We then sang "I will journey all the way with my Redeemer."
Everyone filed past the family as Lenore wanted to see all who came. We gathered outside in the snowy breeze and watch as they loaded the coffin on to a cart drawn by a beautiful pair of black horses. Next came a pair of golden Clydes. drawing a chariot for the family Then men on horses leading Rodey's horse with no rider. Then the two funeral limosines....and off they went to be back in about 20 minutes. It was done very respectfully and was quite touching.
Rodey died exactly ten months later than his brother Dan who professed and died in Feb of last year.
The lucheon was a special time of mingling and I got to meet some of the cowboys...one was Garnier from Dewberry who knew where Landonville was.
Rodey's life was indeed a tribute to the community and a great example to us as God's people in what was his first love.
We came last night and stayed with Joy Jensen which was very special.
Thanks Janet .
PS..we have now arrived safely @ Ft McMurray @ Alders.
.........................................................................................