Art Hunerdosse - July 22, 2023

We are here today to remember and celebrate the life and faithfulness of Art Hunerdosse. Any grief we have is mitigated by the reality that Art is where he has longed to be for a long time.

As I think of Art a few passages of Scripture come to mind. I think of the heart Art had for those the world tended to overlook and it brings to mind Matthew 25.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ (Matthew 25:34-45)

Another passage from 1 Corinthians 15 is a promise that Art held dear,

let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

These are the words Art built his life upon and are the reason we look at today not merely with the sadness of separation but also with the confidence of gospel hope.

Will you pray with me?

Father, I thank you that your life and character were evidenced in the life of Art Hunerdosse. Be present as we remember his heart, his life, his story-telling sense of humor, and the resiliency of his life. May you be honored by what is said here today. We ask in Jesus name. Amen

I am going to ask Don and Sandy to come up and share about their dad.

I think I would have enjoyed knowing Art Hunerdosse as a younger man. I enjoyed him as an older man. Art was always a quiet and unassuming guy. When he was a child, he grew up with five older brothers. Art was always a good student. In fact, he wanted to be a Doctor. However, World War 2 was in full force. Three of his brothers were already serving, one brother had a deferment while he was in college and the other one was headed in that direction. Art was the youngest brother so he could have been excused because he was the last brother. Instead, since he was not interested in farming, he volunteered to go to war so his older brother could stay home and work on the farm. His dad pleaded with the recruiter to delay Art’s entry into the military until after he graduated from high school. And that is what they did.

By the time Art got to Europe D-Day had already happened. Art was an anti-tank gunner. Since the war was winding down, he wasn’t needed as a gunner and spent most of his time transporting the wounded to hospitals. Art witnessed firsthand the concentration camps used by the Nazi’s. He couldn’t stomach those who said the Holocost was all a hoax. He was there.

Art was scheduled to head to the Pacific to fight against the Japanese. But, while he was in transit, the atomic bombs were dropped and the war was effectively over.

Art met Hazel and asked out her friend the first time. Then the guys switched girls and he never let go of her again. Art was so shy he used to say he was scared to call up girls for a date because he was afraid they would say “Yes.”

Art was the spiritual leader of his home but he was not the disciplinarian. Hazel handled all of that. Art finished his education and came out of school essentially as an engineer. He was great at math but went to work doing design engineering for Lenix, where he designed grain dryers. He then went on to IRC where he made design changes to equipment for various needs. After that, he was in quality control at the Munitions plant but was squeezed out of a job because he wouldn’t play the game. Art then took a job at Mitchell Engineering where he helped build steel buildings.

Art faced some frustration getting jobs because everyone told him he was over-qualified. The thing is, Art didn’t care. He wasn’t trying to make a name for himself, he was just trying to take care of his family.

Finally, he and Hazel moved to Arizona where they worked at Rainbow acres as house parents for those with special needs. Art was also the handyman for the various locations associated with Rainbow acres.

It was the perfect job for Art and Hazel. They both had great patience and were able to see the good and the value in everyone they cared for. They worked there for 15 years. 7 ½ years they worked full time and were semi-retired the rest of the time. Ken moved them to La Harpe where they faithfully had a visitation ministry at the Union Church.

Over the years Art helped start two churches. He drew the plans for one of them. He served in various capacities of the church all his life.

Art loved photography and even had one of his pictures published. He loved making birdhouses and made a whole bunch of them. He liked to tell people he was a housebuilder. He enjoyed reading westerns and used to enjoy shows like Perry Mason and a lot of the silly shoes like Ma & Pa Kettle, Road Runner and Tom & Jerry. For a long time he watched an eagles nest on the Internet and watched the development of the young eagles. Art was fascinated by life.

This shy man was proud of the family he raised. He enjoyed his life with Hazel (he with his dry wit and she with her over-the-top kidding and almost slap-stick humor). He was a faithful servant of Christ. He was a man who was content . . . even to the end of his life with all of his health issues.

The home health people who cared for Art found they were ministered to by him. His kindness, gentleness, and how he appreciated them showed that this man served his Lord until the very last moments of his life. His humility, his grace, and his loving heart will be missed.

[Knowing What I Know About Heaven . . . Song]

*****

When I think about Art, the verse that comes to mind is “Study to show yourself approved a workman who does not need to be ashamed.” (2 Timothy 2:15) Art was constantly trying to learn as much about the Bible as He could. Even after he started to have trouble seeing he would continue to study with a magnifying glass or any other device he could secure. He listened to radio programs from all over the country. He loved listening to J. Vernon McGee even long after McGee went home to be with the Lord. Art was sharp! He knew what he believed and was eager to share it with anyone who would listen.

But he was also a man who not only knew how to talk about faith, he put his faith into practice. The 15 years he and Hazel spent at Rainbow acres were years where they “entertained angels, unaware.” (Hebrews 13:2)

In these later years when his health began to give out on him, Art did not get bitter . . . He remained faithful. He has been ready to meet the Lord for some time. Now He is home where he belongs.

Art understood that no one is saved because they are good. The Bible is clear, “there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10) Even our very best acts are tainted with selfishness, pride, and a desire for personal gain. The notion that people are basically good is not supported by the evidence.

Regularly I hear people say, “I hope I have been good enough to go to Heaven.” I try to share the fact that, according to the Bible, they have NOT been good enough. That usually gets their attention. I quickly add, “and neither have I.” Then I have the privilege of sharing the message of the gospel that Christ came into the world to save us and show us the way to abundant life here and everlasting life in the future.

Some people think the only qualification for Heaven is to die. Some think there is nothing beyond the grave. These folks are generally not enjoying life or tyhey are living with recklessness. The offer of salvation and new life is offered to anyone who admits their sin, wants to turn and be delivered from it, and then embraces and follows Christ as their Savior and their Lord. Art did all of these things. We know that for him, “death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor 15.54). Art rested in the promise that “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8.1)

I can’t say this about everyone but “I know Art is with the Lord in glory.” I know he has been reunited with Hazel and has had the glorious privilege of standing before his Lord. I am sure that he has heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” from the Lord Himself. Art’s faith and trust in the Lord was not hidden but was out there for all to see.

I hope we can all learn what it means to be faith-filled by studying Art’s example. He was a godly man who treated others with kindness and grace. These are characteristics so desperately needed in our day. It is now our turn to pick up the baton and carry on the next leg of the race of faith.

I’m going to ask our friends from the American Legion to come forward at this time.

Let me share some lessons we could learn from Art’s life.

1. We have a choice: we can view life as a gift or as a burden; we can focus on the blessings or the struggles. Art chose joy. It is the wise choice.

2. Art warns us that if you were originally more interested in your wife’s friend than your wife . . . you are going to hear about it for the rest of your life.

3. We learned that no matter how society labels you – every life has value before the Lord. And it is a great privilege to impart that value to others.

4. The gift of contentment is more valuable than any other gift.

5. When the Bible says a big family is a blessing from the Lord, it is sharing a profound truth. It is too bad we so often look past our families to find happiness.

6. Real love is being willing to sacrifice on behalf of another.

7. Birds need homes too.

8. Life is much more fun if you have a good sense of humor.

9. Quiet people are often the most interesting because they have learned to listen and learn.

10. If we live our lives trusting the Lord, our lives will make an impact greater than we can know and we will find death is not the end of life; it is the beginning of the life we have always longed for and cannot begin to imagine.

Let’s pray together,

Our Father, we thank you for the life of Art Hunerdosse. Thank you for his character which spoke volumes . . . often without any words. Thank you for his faithfulness and the way we saw Jesus in the way he lived his life. Welcome him into the place you prepared for him.

Lord, we pray now that the seeds of faith that Art has planted in us would grow and mature so that we could carry the baton he has now passed on to us. Grant warm memories, your gracious comfort, and a fervent hope to this family. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

When We All Get to Heaven