Herb Ray Memorial Service
Funeral Services • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 5 viewsNotes
Transcript
Welcome
Welcome
On behalf of the family, I’d like to welcome you to this service in memory of Herb Ray.
It is an honor for me to officiate Herbs home-going service.
He is part of a generation ahead of me that I respect and owe a great deal to.
Even though he was slowing down over the past year, he has looked so good and been so healthy, I was shocked when I did a little math and realized that Herb was 55 when I was born!
Herb truly had a full life and he was blessed.
And even though we will miss him greatly, I know we are all grateful for the years we have had with him.
Today is a wonderful opportunity to spend time together as family and friends recounting the many good memories we have of Herb’s life.
But there is a painful reality we are confronted with this morning. No matter how hard we try, the ugliness of death and the sting of it’s impact in our lives is inescapable. In moments like this, we must move toward each other and rely on truth that meets us where we are.
I am thankful truth exists and that it is available to us in our suffering and becomes an anchor during the storms of life.
Read from Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
Prayer
Dear God, Thank you for the comfort you give to the broken. I pray that you would help us today as we desire to remember and honor the life of Herb Ray. Thank you for the many friends and family who have come together to encourage and help one another in time of need. Thank you for the good memories we have and can hold on to. I ask that you would us give grace, comfort, and help this morning.....
At this time, Pastor Steve Von Bokern is going to read the obituary and then Ken Williams is going to come and give a Eulogy. After that, Mike Corman is going to give a tribe to Herb.
Obituary - Steve
Obituary - Steve
Herbert "Herb" Eugene Ray passed away at Hearthstone Health Campus on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at the age of 97. Herb was born on August 22, 1927 to Herman and Inez Ray. He lived all his 97 years in Ellettsville. He was married to the love of his life, Wanda Patrick in 1949 and they celebrated fifty seven years of marriage before her passing.
Herb retired from Coca Cola Bottling Company of Bloomington where he served as a Service Manager. Herb loved all his family and is survived by his two daughters, Suzanne (Jim) Harden of Ellettsville and Barbara (Bill) Rumple of Spencer; his two grandchildren, Steven (Emily) Harden of Springville and Nikki (David) Beyers of Ellettsville; eight great-grandchildren, Tyler Harden, Blake (Sami) Anderson, Brayden and Myah Ault, Callie and Mikel Beyers and Aiden and Gabe Bittle; two great-great-grandchildren, Ashley and Jameson Anderson and several nieces and nephews.
Herb was a United States Navy Veteran of World War II. He served his junior year of high school as a cook on a mine sweeper in the Philippines. After a year in the Navy, he came to Ellettsville and graduated with the senior class of 1947. Herb was lucky enough to play basketball the year he came home and the team won the Sectional in 1947. He was proud to serve on the Ellettsville Town Council for fifteen years and also served on the Ellettsville Fire Department for over twenty years. He was the assistant Fire Chief at one time. Herb was a devoted woodworker and has made many projects. He is a member of the American Legion Burton Woolery Post #18 of Bloomington and a lifetime member of the VFW. He worshipped as a member of the Lifeway Baptist Church. Herb also received the Quilt of Valor in 2023 for his military service, he was proud to receive this honor from the American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda; parents, and three brothers, James Edward, Robert Lee and Larry Dean.
Eulogy - Ken Williams
Eulogy - Ken Williams
Tribute - Mike Corman
Tribute - Mike Corman
Memories - Myah (Great, Grandaughter)
Memories - Myah (Great, Grandaughter)
Is there anyone else who would like to say anything in memory of Herb’s life?
Song - How Great Thou Art
Song - How Great Thou Art
Message
Message
Herb was a good man
If I was pressed to use one word to describe Herb, it would be - LOVING
Herb loved his family - I know he spent much time with his family. Barbra told me about all the camping trips the family would take. They started out with a tent and kept upgrading until they had a fifth wheel. Those years are fond memories and I am thankful you have them today.
Now consider all the grand kids, great grand kids, and great-great grand kids! You were all a delight and joy to Herb and I know he treasured all of you.
Herb loved his country - Serving in the Philippians during WWII is not something everyone can say. I think I speak for everyone here and the entire community when I say I am deeply grateful for Herb’s military service. My grandfather served in the Navy just after WWII, but died when I was young. I’ve personally known just a handful of WWII veterans and I count it a honor and blessing to say that Herb was one of them.
Herb loved his community - There are so many who are here tonight because you lived near Herb and Wanda. Not everyone gets alone with their neighbors, but it seems to me that most of Herb’s neighbors were adopted into the family. Of course Herb also spent years serving his community with the Fire Department and Town Council.
Herb loved his Shepherd. What do I mean by that?
One of the most known and loved passages in the Bible is Psalm 23 which begins by stating “the Lord is my shepherd...”
Although this Psalm was written 3,000 years ago by king David (though grew up being a shepherd), I know that Herb understood this Psalm and could say that everything in this Psalm was true in his own life.
Psalm 23 is so well known and loved because:
It doesn’t ignore the trials of life. It speaks openly and candidly about one of our greatest fears - namely, death.
It doesn’t assume that we’re fools. (Sometimes people come along and try to help, but all they do is just talk over us.) Psalm 23 believes people care deeply about their life and have honest and real questions.
This Psalm is also loved because It offers legitimate hope. It’s not filled with empty promises or vain platitudes. Yes, even in the context of death, Psalm 23 provides humanity with an answer and solution for our suffering.
I would like to read this short Psalm and make three even shorter observations that I believe will encourage your heart and bring you joy.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 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. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 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.
The first observation is that the Lord is a personal shepherd - “the Lord is my shepherd”
The first observation is that the Lord is a personal shepherd - “the Lord is my shepherd”
As a shepherd himself, David understood that sheep were’t OK on their own. Sure, there were wild sheep, but they didn’t thrive and they had a dangerous life.
But when the shepherd boy David took ownership of specific sheep, he was committed to them.
He loved them
He led them to food and water
He protected them from every danger
David understood that this shepherding nature was at the core of who God is.
God’s personal
He has sheep
And He is commited to them
John 10:14 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me,”
Like David, Herb understood that in Christ he had a personal shepherd that loved him, provided for him, and protected him.
Without this first truth, a day like today would bring nothing but despair - I personally believe it would be intolerable.
But because Jesus knows Herb and and Herb knows Jesus, we know that right now, Herb is with his Shepherd.
Knowing Christ in this way doesn’t happen accidentally. There are sheep that are not currently in His fold.
Yet, I know that many of you are - and even in the pain today brings, you have comfort because you also personally know the Lord Jesus Christ.
Do you personally know the Shepherd - do you know the Lord Jesus Christ personally?
Second, the comfort this Psalm brings is knowing that God is always present with his sheep - even through death.
Second, the comfort this Psalm brings is knowing that God is always present with his sheep - even through death.
One of the most well known parts of this Psalm is verse 4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me
It makes sense that a personal shepherd would always be present with his sheep, but there’s something unique about this verse.
Something so unique that it casts out all fear and makes death powerless.
Simply stated, it is the Shepherds presence with his people. But why is that so important?
The imagery of this psalm is powerful.
It pictures us on a road - the road of life. A road that is getting deeper and deeper into the valley of death.
Just last night I overheard Kenny say to Dave that when he turned 60, his body just started falling apart.
We all understand this. It’s true for all of us.
The further we get down this road of life, the greater the shadow of the valley becomes.
And there’s nothing we can do to escape this reality.
So how can the Shepherd’s presence with us cast out fear? And how does it make death powerless?
Again, John 10:14 is so helpful. The great shepherd of our soul is Jesus Christ.
The fact that He can be present with us at all should shock all of us (for several reasons)...
But primarily because 2,000 years ago, Roman soldiers beat him nearly to death and then hung him on a cross where he brutally died.
After preparing his body for burial, they placed him in a grave where his body laid for three days.
One of the best things I can tell you today is that Jesus conquered the grave.
This is why he can be present with us today...
This is how it’s possible that he can walk with his sheep through the valley of the shadow of death.
Because He has walked this road ahead of you and provided a way through the grave to eternal life.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
But this is good news because Jesus went to the grave and conquered the grave
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Finally, there is eternity on the other side of the grave.
Finally, there is eternity on the other side of the grave.
The last verse of Psalm 23:6
6 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.
David knew that death wasn’t the end.
He knew that since God was personal and present, the grave couldn’t have the final word.
And though he walked the valley of death, he saw eternity beyond the shadow and he knew the only one who could provide this was God.
Herb loved his family
Herb loved his community
Herb loved his country
He was a good and kind man.
A man we will all miss deeply.
I can assure you that because Herb’s faith was in the Lord Jesus Christ, he is more alive today than he ever has been.
For the believer, death is not the end. It is the gateway to everlasting joy and fullness of life.
Friends, today Herb is with his Savior and for him, there is no more suffering - no more dying. Just everlasting life.
But Herb didn’t earn this.
Psalm 23 helps us understand that we are dependent on the Shepherd - Jesus Christ for this hope.
The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
Everlasting life is not something we can achieve, but that we’re given.
Faith in Christ means that we lay aside our own efforts and trust the Shepherd completely.
Romans 5:6–11
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
One of most important things - one of the most comforting things I can tell you this morning is that Herb loved his Shepherd
His faith was in the Lord Jesus Christ alone and how he is in the full presence of the Lord.
Prayer
Prayer
Dear God,
Your word gives us so much hope. I pray that you would comfort this family in their time of need and suffering.
Closing Song - Lead Me Home
Closing Song - Lead Me Home
