David Sayler Memorial Service

Welcome & Prayer

On behalf of his family I would like to welcome you to the memorial service for David Sayler.

We come together this afternoon to remember a man that was dear to you, in hopes of honoring his life and helping in the healing process.

These moments take place within a time of great grief, but also within a time of great joy, knowing that David blessed all of you throughout his life.

Additionally, I would like to ask each one here this morning to look to the One who can dry every tear and heal every hurt, because I believe He is an unseen guest here this morning. That “One” is the Lord Jesus Christ. So as we come together, let us take a few moments to call upon the Lord in prayer.

((Prayer))

Obituary

David "Dave" A. Sayler, 73, passed away on April 25, 2023, in Longview, Washington. He was born on January 20, 1950, in Bismark, North Dakota, to Wilbert M. Sayler and Gloria L. Sayler.

Dave was a loyal and kind person who always helped his family, friends, and neighbors. He was known for his outrageously funny and sarcastic sense of humor and his love for pranks. He was also a great storyteller and always had a tale to share.

After graduating from Mt. St. Helens High School in Winlock, Washington, in 1969, Dave was initiated into Local 695 of the United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry. He spent 47 years as a member in good-standing.

In his free time, Dave loved fishing, working on hot rods, creating artistic metal fabrications, going on road trips, listening to music, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Dave is survived by his wife of 42 years, Linda Sayler, his son John Sayler, his daughter Bobbi (Kevin) Ralphs, his brother Gary (Dawn) Sayler, his sisters Trish (Bahram) Sheed and Leslie Sayler, and his grandchildren Joshua (Lindsay) Sayler, Nichole (Jake) Cox, and Amber (Jade) Denny, as well as five great-granddaughters and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Wilbert, his mother Gloria, and his granddaughter Samantha Jade Kelley.

Video

Family Words

Words from his wife Linda (read by Josh)

Words from Josh

Reading from Ruth

Message

This afternoon we are privileged to come together to celebrate the life of David Sayler. And yes, I do mean celebrate. David lived a good life; a life that left an indelible impact on so many other people’s lives. Those gathered here this afternoon had the opportunity to know David and love him. And I’m sure that each one could stand and testify to the various ways David impacted your life. For that, we can celebrate a life that was lived well; a life that made a lasting impact.

I had an opportunity yesterday to spend some time with David’s family, listening as they shared memories David. I think he would have loved the gathering, because while there were a few tears, as would be expected, there was a lot more laughter as every shared about the wonderful times they had with him. That didn’t shock me, especially after I saw the figurine he had made of himself sitting on the toilet!

I was told that David loved to laugh and to make jokes. Apparently, we was especially skilled at saying a joke under his breath, just enough so that only one person could hear it while everyone else was left to wonder why that one person was laughing hysterically.

I was also told that he loved to make people laugh by sticking various items in his nose; something confirmed by the picture on the side of his urn.

And probably the biggest laugh of our meeting came when I asked Georgia her favorite memories of her great-grandfather. She quickly said, “I remember how he would try to sneak cigarettes in his shop when he thought none of us were looking!” Apparently, Georgia had a habit of throwing Dave under the bus…but he adored her anyway!

But, there was more than joking around to Dave. He was a man who was slow to anger, had an excellent work ethic, and loved to teach others things…according to his son, things they often didn’t even realize they need to know.

And, of course, I can’t forget his love for his wife, Linda. According to Linda, “we just got each other.” For any of you who are married to someone who “just gets you”, you understand that kind of commitment and love.

On that note, let me encourage you with something important. All of us have experienced loss, but anyone who has lost their spouse knows that losing a husband or a wife is a pain that continues on well past the memorial service. For most here this morning, life will go back to relative normal after today. You’ll think about Dave. You’ll miss him. But, your life must go on to normal. But, for Linda, there is no more normal. There might be a new normal, eventually, but you don’t just “get over” losing someone you’ve been married to for such a long time.

Because of that, I want to encourage you to reach out to Linda, not just in the coming weeks, but in the coming months. When you think about her, pick up the phone and give her a call. Take a few hours out of your week and have lunch with her or just sit and chat. She needs her community of people now and in the future more than ever before. It’s part of the responsibility we have to one another. Grief needs community.

Speaking of grief, though, as I said earlier, we come together to celebrate David’s life, we also grieve over the loss of a friend and a family member. I’m here to tell you, it is okay for you to grieve; in fact it’s normal, natural and healthy. But, in spite of your grief, you must take time to consider that death is all a part of God’s design for people.

So often people today do everything they can to extend life, not realizing that what really matters is the quality of one’s life, not the quantity. As much as it pains us when someone passes, we all realize that we cannot do anything to change that. More so, we should never lose sight that no matter how long someone lives, it’s the lives he touches and the lasting impact he makes that really matters. You all are a testimony that David touched many lives and made a lasting impact.

One of God’s greatest promises and example’s of His love for us is stated in Psalm 23.

Psalm 23 ESV

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Here we are reminded that God is our shepherd who will always be with us, no matter what comes in life.

You see, one of the truly amazing things about life is that God has put us here for a time, yet we are not our own. We are His children, the sheep of His pasture. Yet, in the short time He has given us here, one of the greatest blessings is the relationships we have with one another. This is truly one of God’s greatest gifts.

David was a gift, and you are all better for knowing him. But you must not hang on or refuse to move forward now that your loved one has passed on from this life. You would be wise to reach out to one another during this time of sorrow, and to the God who loves you enough to call you His child.

In fact, as I think about your grief, I believe it would be wise to remember the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 16, we see Jesus speaking to his disciples about his own impending death. These disciples, who left everything to follow him, would soon experience enormous grief, not unlike you face today. To bring them comfort he says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.”

How could he say such a thing? We see later in this chapter the answer; “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

This afternoon, I want to encourage you to look to the one who has overcome the world to find peace and joy.

One question I’m often asked at times like these is: Will I see him again in Heaven? Some here would confidently say “yes” to this question, others aren’t sure. Some might even question whether there is a Heaven in the first place. For me, the only place to find the answer to such a question is in God’s revelation to mankind, the Bible.

In the Bible, God has revealed everything we need to know to live the life that He wants us to live and, honestly, to die well. So what does the Bible say about this?

I’d like to point out a passage to you that might be helpful. In I Corinthians 15 Paul speaks at length about the Resurrection. First he mentions Christ’s own Resurrection from the dead, then talks about the resurrection of believers in Christ. After a lengthy discussion about these perishable bodies dying and being raised to an imperishable body Paul says,

1 Corinthians 15:50–57 ESV

I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ultimately, the answer to our question lies in this: Do I have victory through the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you made peace with God?

Some here have done that, of which I praise God for. But others simply think they have made peace with God, not realizing that when it comes to peace with God it’s His terms, not ours.

God’s terms are this: All have sinned and fallen short of God’s standards. The only way we are made right with God (or have peace with God) is through Jesus sacrificial death, taking our punishment upon himself. If we are to receive this forgiveness of sins we must believe in him and make him the Lord of our life. When you do this, you can be assured that you have victory in Jesus!

Finally, I would like everyone here to take a minute to think about specific ways in which David impacted you during his life. (I will give you a minute to silently think about those.)

Now, I encourage you to take a minute to silently utter a prayer of thanks to God. Because, as we know, God gave David to us for a time; and we are left with memories. We should learn from these memories and thank God for the gift of David. (I will give you a minute to whisper a silent prayer of thanks.)

Benediction

Welcome to the reception

The reception will take place at the Winlock Senior Center.