Sean Howard Funeral

Obituary:

Sean passed away Sunday, July 9th, at his lake property in LaCygne Kansas.

He was born on May 11th, 1974, in Iowa City, Iowa. The son of Dan and Vivian Howard.

Sean was a construction worker/framer for over 30 years. In his free time,  he loved spending time with family and friends BBQing and enjoying a cold beer.

He married Michelle on May 11th, 2009, in Lawrence. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his parents, Dan and Vivian Howard

His children Christeen,Dakota, Heather, Megan, and Daniel.

Five grandchildren Keagan, Olivia, Tucker, Ellie, Emery.

Two step grandkids Sherman, Louvica.

Brother, Hondo Howard

Sister, Julie Bower-Compiano,

Father-in-law, Gary Hibner

and many cousins and relatives.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father it is with a heavy heart that we gather today;

We gather on behalf of the family and friends of Sean Howard

To celebrate his life, To recognize his dedication to his family and friends. And to honor him as a friend, and a valuable part of the lives those gathered today.

But we also gather to mourn his absence in our families, and fellowship.

Let this service be one of honor and blessing for both YOU and these loved ones gathered in this place.

Let your name be glorified

And let your Spirit have His way In Jesus Name…

Song: Life of a Working Man - Creed Fisher

Scripture:

Matthew 11:28–30 NLT

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Remarks: Open to Friends and Family

Poem:

The family wanted me to share lyrics written by Vince Gill -

I know your life on earth was troubled

And only you rcould know the pain

You weren’t afraid to face the Devil

You were no stranger to the rain

Go rest high on that mountain

Son your work on earth is done

Go to Heaven a shoutin’

Love for the Father and the Son

Song: Give Heaven some Hell - Hardy

Message:

People Person. Outgoing. Awesome.

Best Dad Ever. Guardian. Teddy Bear.

These are just a few of the words I’ve heard that describe Sean Howard. But words don’t seem enough to describe Sean. He was a well known and well loved by every person he knew.

I’ve been told that he’d give you the shirt off his back, but don’t expect that shirt to have any sleeves!

Today we mourn the loss of Sean Howard. He was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He will be missed.

Ecclesiastes 3:1–2 (MEV)

1 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die;

The bible tells us what we already know; we will all pass from this life, but when we are faced with the death of our closest loved ones it can seem unbearable.

What can we do in such difficult times?

We can remember life. Sean lived life to it’s fullest, and he would want you to continue to live life to the fullest each and every day.

One of Sean’s dreams was to take a trip to South Dakota to see Crazy horse. He took that trip. It was a trip of a lifetime. Filled with laughter, joking, and love. He was living life at the peak of joy.

We should be reminded that life is short and that we should work to fulfill our dreams in honor of Sean.

Sean made a difference in this world. Not only in the lives of the people gathered here, but in the lives of complete strangers.

He didn’t judge people. His life was an example of treating people the right way.

He was a hero! Really, not just because he was a good man who worked hard and provided for his family.

When a neighbors house was on fire, Sean didn’t think twice about pulling complete strangers from danger. He saved their lives, but never wanted the credit - just like a true hero.

Hero’s don’t always wear a cape. In fact, some hero’s just wear underwear.

One time, Sean made a big batch of jungle juice, and everyone was having a good time. But some people in the neighborhood kept the party going a little too late. They had the music going late into the night and it was time for bed.

Sean, being the hero to the neighborhood, ran outside in his underwear, and just ripped the power right off the house! The music stopped. Peace was restored.

He was a hero - no cape. Just a real guy living an unstoppable life.

That’s who he was. He was Always there.

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There’s a scripture I want to share with you that I think will give you comfort today.

1 Corinthians 15:54–58 CEV

54 The bodies we now have are weak and can die. But they will be changed into bodies that are eternal. Then the Scriptures will come true, “Death has lost the battle! 55 Where is its victory? Where is its sting?” 56 Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin. 57 But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory! 58 My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.

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God says, “Death is inevitable, but not natural.”

According to one of the tales of the old West, there was a character named Wild Bill Langley.

He supposedly had killed thirty-two people.

He became a legend because one time he was strung up to be hung by vigilantes. They began to shoot at him as he swung by the rope. They missed him, hit the rope, and he escaped.

Another time, a sheriff tried to hang him, but made the rope too long and Wild Bill dropped to his feet on the ground and he took off!

Some people felt that since he had cheated death so often, his casket was filled with rocks, and he had escaped.

They dug up his grave to see if he was really there. The DNA matched his descendants. Wild Bill didn’t cheat death. No one does.

We cannot cheat it, but we can defeat it. Through Christ we can move from death to a larger life.

The Bible tells us that death is a reality.

Hebrews 9:27 CEV

27 We die only once, and then we are judged.

Death is the most common event in human history. More common than marriage, because not every-one marries. More common than child-bearing because not all men or women have children.

The tragedy of death is that it was not a part of God’s original plan. He created man to live, not to die. God is the life-giver. Everything he touches brings life. Sin entered the arena of life through the first man. And death has been on the scene ever since.

As human beings, we try to give meaning to death. Some do it by seeking to be master of it by trying to control their destiny through suicide or euthanasia. Others seek immortality through the false hope of reincarnation. There are others who do it by trying to leave a legacy, a memorial of their lives, through the family, manuscripts, works of art, or other achievements. But there is no cure for death.

Faced with this reality, the question arises, “Where is God in the face of death?”

God is there when we face death. When we face death, God begins to work in our hearts and lives. He reminds us that we’ve gone through difficult times in the past and we made it through. We have the hope that God will help us through death as well.

John 14:2 MEV

2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.

Jesus told us that there is a place waiting that we call heaven.

What kind of place is heaven?

The Apostle Paul tells us:

1 Corinthians 2:9 CEV

9 But it is just as the Scriptures say, “What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!”

Death is a certainty in life, but so is heaven. We have a hope on the other side of this life. God want’s people to live forever with Him.

How can we be assured that one day we will enter this place called heaven? It’s actually very simple. So simple in fact that even a child could understand without doubt that they are able to enter into that wonderful place of rest.

Romans 10:9–10 CEV

9 So you will be saved, if you honestly say, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. 10 God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others.

God has made a way for us to be saved if we place our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We surrender our lives to Him and our reward is eternity with the Father and our loved ones who have passed.

I know that Sean has read the Bible and had to see that our hope after this life was that we would be forever with the Lord Jesus.

Death is intimidating. It’s difficult. It just feels wrong.

Yet, in the scripture I read to you earlier it says that Death has lost the victory and it’s sting. How can this be true?

There is life beyond this world. Life extends beyond the physical. There is more to come. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, all who belong to him will live forever. Jesus put death to death. Because he did, we go from termination to emigration.

Instead of looking at the face of death, we can look into the face of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. We must stand in faith on this truth and allow it to comfort us in this time of loss.

If he could, I think Sean would want to tell you something today.

Life is going to be different without him. It’s ok to cry. It’s ok to grieve. Remember that he told you time and time again that he loved you. No one can take away his love or his memories. You’ll carry those with you forever.

I’m told that Sean loved the lake. If he could be anywhere in the world it would be down at the lake with family and friends. Maybe cooking some brisket and sitting around remembering good times.

Good times like giving Ian a peanut that was coated with ghost pepper dust just to see what would happen. Or Sean watching Steven take a big old handful of those peanuts and not telling him they were about to light up his world.

Don't forget about all the good times at the lake. I can see why Sean loved being there with friends and family.

I was thinking about the lake times you had and a scripture came to mind. It tells us a little bit about something that exists in heaven.

Revelation 4:6 CEV

6 Also in front of the throne was something that looked like a glass sea, clear as crystal. Around the throne in the center were four living creatures covered front and back with eyes.

It says there was a glass sea, clear as crystal. That sure sounds like a lake to me! And for Sean, heaven wouldn’t be heaven unless there was a lake.

Folks, I know you’re grieving, and I am truly sorry for your loss, but I encourage you to have hope.

Trust that one day you’ll be reunited with Sean.

Surrender your life to the Lord Jesus and know that you’ll be able to see that great lake in heaven.

Look forward to the day when you’ll get a big ol’ Bear hug again and be able to taste whatever Sean’s got cooking on the grill.

Song: Spirit in the Sky - Norman Greenbaum

Prayer:

Father it is in you that we find peace, we have come together to mourn the loss of Sean.

It is our request from you today is that though there has been a void created in our Hearts and Lives. That your Holy Spirit would move into that void, and bring Peace and comfort as only you can.

And if there are those here today, that do not know of the Blessed Hope that you offer to your Children, may they know today, that true life is only found in a relationship with you.

Let each of us keep in our hearts the loving memory of Sean, and let your Spirit constantly remind us of the guarantee we find in your word concerning the life changing presence of Christ, where You said “I will never leave you nor forsake you, even until the end of the world.”

Please be with these dear people as they experience this day of mourning,

Let your mercy and Grace guide us in the hours and days to come.

In Jesus name