Dale W. Shutwell - June 14, 2023

We are here this morning to remember the life and mourn the loss of Dale W. Shutwell. This is a time of sadness, but it is also a time of thanksgiving and rejoicing as we remember the life Dale lived.

Eleanor wrote down that Dale had a couple of favorite passages from the Bible. The first was Psalm 23:4

4 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.

Dale had a few times in his life where I am sure he quoted that verse to himself. The other passage is Hebrews 13:5 a passage that accurately describes Dale’s attitude.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Will you pray with me?

Father, we gather today with a desire to pay tribute to a life well-lived, but also to gain perspective on the matters of life and death. Help us to reach both of these goals today. Comfort us in our loss and help us to catch a glimpse of the eternal. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen

Dale was born on January 27, 1927 which made him 96 years old when he died last Sunday, June 10th. In between that time, he lived. He was raised in a strict but loving home. During World War II he enlisted in the Navy. He saw this as his duty. He served for many years in the honor for many who have likewise served their country well. As soon as Dale got out of the Navy, he married the love of his life Eleanor Thompson Shutwell. They were married for 73 years!! These last 3 ½ years since Eleanor died has been the longest they had been apart.

Dale was never afraid of hard work. He purchased the overgrown land he now owns and worked hard with his boys to clear that land. In the meantime, they had 16 Dairy Cows and some hogs and sold the milk to what was then a local dairy. For a while Dale worked for the Dairy and delivered milk in those big cans to various customers.

Dale had his trials. He buried two children. His daughter Linda died in his arms. His son, Ken died well before he should have. It is always tragic when a parent has to bury their child.

Once, Dale almost lost a finger (or worse) when his hand got caught in a field cultivator 1 ½ miles away from home. He screamed for help and was preparing to cut off his own finger with his knife but someone heard him and they were able to save the finger.

Eleanor wrote of Dale,

Dale was a story teller – at any party someone always said, “Dale, tell us a story!” He would and he would get tickled with the story which made everyone else start to laugh before he even finished the story. He was an excellent card player (even though He didn’t think so. He hated weeds with a passion. He liked to get on the tractor, with a sprayer filled with brush killer, his weed hook and an empty sack and head for the pastures which he kept free of weeds and looking like a park. He always hoped he was making his dad proud by the way he cared for the farmland. He used to say, “I hope dad is smiling as he looks down on me.”

Eleanor wrote for Dale,

When my life is over. And along the way I’ve passed.

On my grave don’t plant a bush, just plant some Reed’s Canary Grass.

And in my casket, please don’t put a book

But a deck of cards, some weed spray, and my faithful old weed hook

Dale loved to eat out (especially in the later years). In the early years he was really frugal. Eleanor had to hide receipts from him so he wouldn’t be upset. If she got him a new shirt, she would have to tell him she got it at a yard sale for 99 cents.

Dale always had a joke for you. He loved to laugh, and he loved to make others laugh. He also like to carry out various pranks on people. Of course, that meant that sometimes he was the one who got pranked. He was fine with that. Then, it was a great buy!

Dale also dug wells. He “witched water.” He liked to use peach tree branches when he was looking for water. He was good at it.

Eleanor also wrote:” Dale enjoyed his home and his recliner and later years it was hard to get him out of his recliner. He liked watching nature shows, and football (especially the Bears . . . sorry Jared!). He loved any family gathering and loved watching the next generations coming up behind him. He never envied anyone for anything. Eleanor also adds, “Lest anyone think he was perfect – he wasn’t. He had a quick temper and liked things his way. He never shouted when he got mad. He went silent, which was worse. Especially if you were on the other end of the silence.

He liked this poem, “Drinking from my Saucer” by John Paul Moore which described his attitude toward life.

I've never made a fortune, And I'll never make one now But it really doesn't matter 'Cause I'm happy anyhow As I go along my journey I'm reaping better than I've sowed I'm drinking from the saucer 'Cause my cup has overflowed I don't have a lot of riches, And sometimes the going's tough But with kin and friends to love me I think I'm rich enough I thank God for the blessings That His mercy has bestowed I'm drinking from the saucer 'Cause my cup has overflowed He gives me strength and courage When the way grows steep and rough I'll not ask for other blessings for I'm already blessed enough May we never be too busy To help bear another's load Then we'll all be drinking from the saucer When our cups have overflowed

In a world that seems to always be running somewhere, or feeling the need to have a little bigger, or have a little more, Dale stood out as one who was content in life. He paid his bills, was generous with his time, and treated others as he would like to be treated.

Dale liked to do crossword puzzles and word search puzzles and liked to play Password. He loved to play cards up to the last week of his life. He enjoyed reminiscing about his Navy years and had a great friendship with three Navy buddies until they all died. He also enjoyed listening to music and dancing on Saturday nights with Eleanor and their good friends.

Dale was not a church goer (he did come to church on occasion) he was much more comfortable talking to God while in the timber. Dale was a kind man who was not afraid to tell people that he loved them. He could do many different things and he was happy to help a neighbor with a need. He would never think of taking any money for simply helping someone, but he would be the first to offer to pay someone who helped him.

Dale Shutwell was a man who lived a full life. He enjoyed the journey and he tried to bless everyone he met along the way. And he would want me to shut up now.

SONG JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE

One of our favorite stories in the Bible is when Jesus went to the home of his friends Mary and Martha after their brother, Lazarus (Jesus’ friend) had died. Jesus dragged his feet getting there so the chance to heal him had passed (or so they thought). Mary and Martha were admittedly a little perturbed that Jesus didn’t get there sooner. And that comes out in the text of the story when they say, “Lord, if you had been here, he wouldn’t have died.” But it is what happens next that is relevant to us today.

The first thing Jesus did when he got to the tomb of Lazarus was weep. Jesus knew he was going to call Lazarus back from the dead, but still he wept. I believe Jesus was weeping because it was never supposed to be this way. It was the sin of mankind that makes death inevitable and unescapable. I think Jesus also wept in sympathy with Mary and Martha.

Dale lived a good life. He was a good man. And it is ok to miss him. There is nothing wrong with tears. Tears are messengers of love when they roll down your cheek at times such as this.

Before Jesus went to the tomb, He said words that have brought comfort to countless people over the years,

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Jesus wanted to stretch the faith of His friends. He wanted them to see that He was not simply a good teacher; He was the One who alone could conquer death. Through trust in Him we can overcome death as well.

For us, that means a couple of things: First, this is not the end of the story for Dale. It feels like it, but it is not. Jesus told us He was preparing a place for us. When we trust in Him, our sin, rebellion, and let’s face it, indifference, is paid for. When Jesus died, He suffered for the sin of anyone who would come to Him. His life was of such value (as the Son of God) that it could be traded as payment for anyone who comes to Him.

The Bible says that those who trust in Christ will be reunited after we die. There will be a new Heaven and a new earth, and we will never have to be apart again. Can you imagine the reunion that takes place in Heaven? I don’t know that there will be time to play cards in Heaven, because we will so wrapped up in the glory of Heaven and in meeting the saints from various generations I think the thought of playing cards will never cross our minds.

That leads me to the second thing we see here: The only way to get to Heaven is through Christ. We must turn to Him. We must admit our failures and sin to Him and trust that He will take them away. Then, we must follow Him. We can’t call Him the Lord and Savior of our lives and then not follow Him here.

But notice something, Jesus did not say, “He who goes to church will be saved” or “He who has a certain experience,” or even “He who had the right kind of knowledge” will be saved. It is all about embracing who Jesus is, what He did, while admitting we cannot be saved without Him and then following Him.

Dale was not a “churchgoer” but he knew the gospel. He had gone to church when he was a child. He knew what needed to be done, and He tried to live by the teaching Jesus gave us. Do we not see Jesus manifested in the character and life of Dale Shutwell?

I know, some people will bristle at the idea that Jesus is the only way to forgiveness and new and eternal life. That is not narrowmindedness, it is because only Jesus can die and pay our penalty. All other so-called gods are really only sinful men, or inanimate objects. The major news is this: God has come to rescue us in Christ. He is the only One who can do so. This is not about any particular church. It is about the nature of Jesus.

This is where we must put our trust today. If Dale truly knew the Lord, he is with him today. The pain is gone, the reunion has been begun. And best of all, Dale has met Jesus, the One who saved Him from destruction.

One of the things about a funeral is it gives us all a chance to reflect on our lives. Are we hoping we can be “good enough” to be saved? Without Christ, NO ONE is good enough. Please take some time to look at your life. Do you have a genuine relationship with Jesus or is it all superficial? There are plenty of people you can ask for direction about how to have a transforming relationship with Jesus.

Dale left us some wonderful messages,

1. Being kind is something anyone can do, even though most choose not to.

2. Contentment is a treasure greater than anything you can purchase or possess. Contentment is seeing the blessing of what you have, instead of what you don’t have.

3. Hard work is satisfying.

4. Everyone likes a good joke. Most people are OK with a practical joke as long as it is not mean-spirited.

5. You should respect and enjoy your neighbors.

6. A man with a good wife ought to hold on to her.

7. Even serious people should take some time to have fun and dance a little.

8. Don’t put off developing a relationship with Jesus even if you do it in the woods. . . though the Bible does recommend the church.

Please pray with me,

Our Father, we thank you for the life of Dale Shutwell. Thank you for his gentle touch, sense of humor, and kind spirit. Lord, you alone know his heart and we trust You to bring Him into your kingdom by your mercy and grace through Christ. Just as you will do for all who believe.

You have already blessed this family with Dale, now bless them with your comfort and grace. Help us all to trust and follow you with our lives so we will be able to live even when we die. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.