Mike Still Funeral

That beautiful song was a meaningful one to Mike, I was told that on a day not too long from when he finally passed....that Mike seemed to be pretty out of it…maybe even gone…then he woke up and began singing that song....Di believes it might have had something to do with the prayers of some tuesday morning breakfast buddies.

Anyways good afternoon. Welcome to South Creek church of god, we are so grateful you are here today. On behalf of all the family, thank you for being here today to celebrate the beautiful life and legacy of Mike Still. A man who lived life to the fullest in service to others. A kind man who leaves us with a lasting legacy of love, faith, and perseverance. Today as we celebrate we recognize that we will feel joy and sorrow…grief and gratitude. Today as we remember, as we celebrate, and we grieve, we do not grieve without hope we think of this picture of heaven that is painted in revelation....

Rev

The New International Version Chapter 21

Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ u or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

Pray

Michael Ronald Still was born on June 19th, 1949 and went home to be with his saivor Jesus on November 14th, 2023, he was 74 years old.

Mike was born in Phoenix, Arizona and was the late-in-life son of Fredrick and Margaret Still. Mike was the second of two boys the couple was blessed with...Mikes brother, Freddie Still, was 17 years older than him, Mike told the story that he didn’t understand that he had a brother until he was 2! This tall, skinny guy in an Air Force uniform came, and his mom said, “This is your brother!” Mike asked, “What’s a brother?” Mike didn’t like that the “big brother” slept in HIS bed! Freddie (the big brother) had joined the Air Force when Mike was born.

Though he was older and they did not have the traditional brotherly relationship because of the age gap, Mikes brother Freddie & Bev, his wife, were more like second parents to Mike. They took him to church with them, it is because of this that Mike would come to know and surrender to Jesus and this was the beginning of his life-long association with the Church of God.

Now being older, Freddie and Bev’s 2 boys Wes and William, who were only 3 & 5 years younger than Mike, became very close more like brothers in many ways but to them he was still “Munkle Mike.” That name stuck!

With Mikes mom being older, she was protective of her “baby,” so he didn’t play many sports, but his friends got him involved by being the manger for football and gymnastics. As most of you know he loved the arts and loved to sing, even if that wasn’t his strongest gift. He was very involved with his church growing up and was fortune to have great pastors and leaders, one of which was Ron Patti (Sandi Patti’s father) who I was told by Mike once and reminded this week by Di, that he once was leading a Choir mike was apart of in which he had to stop the practice a couple times because something sounded off…finally Ron realized it was Mike, in which he told him maybe you should stop singing, I have a speaking part for you that might be better…years later Mike was part of an choir that Ron helped to lead and he told him you have really improved hot tamale.....Mike really loved to make a joyful noise.

Anyways, Mike blossomed by being involved with friends and especially the youth group in his church. After high school, Mike took a job at Arizona Highway Department creating maps, while some of his best friends left for Anderson College. Eventually he decided he’d go, too! He came to Anderson, Indiana at mid-term with his corduroy winter coat from Phoenix. He had to walk on ice too! He froze! Needless to say, he got a new coat quickly!

Mike always said Anderson College changed his life. He fell in love with ceramics there. While there Mike achieved a Bachelor’s degree of Arts and Crafts, graduating in 1975 where he loved being a part of the Drama Club and the Booster Club.It was here that made long friends, had experiences that would forever change him, and a place his faith continued to grow. Anderson is also where he met his first wife and the mother of his 3 boys, Gail Winget, the two married in 1973. Mike would go on to get a Masters in Education from Indiana University in 1982 and would become an art teach Maconaquah School’s in 1977 and have a wonderful teaching career for the next 31 years, where he taught drawing, pottery, crafts, crocheting, and jewelry making.

One of Mikes great joys was the honor of being Dad to Christian, Adam, and Aaron. Mikes would often speak about them with such pride and joy. He would remind me often how quickly the time goes and how much he wishes he could have time back with his boys. Guys I hope you know how much love and pride your dad had for you. To his daughter in-laws Natalie, Stormie, and Amber…he saw you as his daughters and always spoke with such respect and admiration for you.

Mike had many hobbies and passions aside from pottery. Mike enjoyed radio-controlled airplanes, riding motorcycles, riding his bike on Rails to Trails with friends, and attending Tuesday morning Men’s Prayer Breakfasts. Mike loved music and a wide range of genres. Mike loved movies and often knew lots of trivia around them.

Another activity that Mike enjoyed was The Walk to Emmaus....it was through this ministry that Mike would meet his wife and his princess Di. When they first met they committed to just being friends but overtime they because closer and fell in love. The married in 1998 and shared 25 wonderful years together. It was because of this marriage that Mike was blessed with a bonus son Michael and his lovely wife Miranda, who he also deeply loved.

Di has many times called Mike her Prince charming. He was forever smitted with her and loved to serve her in big and small ways. Together the too loved spending time with friends especially their small group. They also loved being apart of ministires like Karios prision ministry, christian motorcyclist association, and of course serving here at their home church south creek church of god. Every month they would faithful get the communion ready and often you would find them serving as greeters, welcoming faces new and old into our church.

But there greatest passion and joy together was the blessing of their grandchildren. They loved getting to see them and spend time with them. Hailey , Madelyn , Peyton , Rylee , Kyla, Mia , Camdyn , Samara , Aurora , Cade, Cole, Bailey , and Drew. Your grandpa loved you and was so proud of you.

Again Mike and Di shared a special bond and love for one another. So much of that bond was through their mutual love for not just each other but for Christ. I want us to take a moment to just listen and reflect on this song that was meaningful to their relationship called “Loving God, Loving Each Other.”

Song Plays

Mike was always so kind to me…when I first moved to Kokomo…he was an encourager....when I got demoted to senior pastor....he contiuned to be an encourager....and he taught me alot of servanthood....his passion for prision ministry....his dedication to serving....the man washed my feet many years at maundy thursday footwashing. I am going to miss my friend.

Part of today is allowing ourselves to be honest with God about grief, frustrations, and even anger. the really great news is that He is not afraid of the feelings we have. In fact in the midst of our pain He gives us the gift of His presence and understanding.

PSalm

The New International Version Psalm 34

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Matthew

The New International Version Chapter 5

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

I believe that with my whole heart. That will grief will be a journey. One we wouldn't choose and will not like, but we can take comfort in the fact that you don’t face it alone.

Mike was deeply impacted and transformed by the love Jesus…it should be no surprise that one of his favorite themes through scripture was that of God as the potter. Together they enjoyed displaying and selling his pottery at craft shows and historical re-enactments such as Mississinewa 1812 and Trail of Courage, always focusing on God as the Master Potter.

Isaiah

The New International Version Chapter 64

8 Yet you, LORD, are our Father.

We are the clay, you are the potter;

we are all the work of your hand.

Mike truly believed that he was to be the hands of the Master Potter, the Almighty God, by using his talents and his mind to spread the “Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” so he embarked on the ministry of the Master’s Potter to show and tell others about Christ while making his beautiful, functional pottery on his potter’s wheel.  He believed that we, as God’s children, are like clay in the hands of God, the Master Potter, being shaped and molded in His image.

There was a story they told of how a master used a broken pot to water flowers along the path. He used it, just the way it was, for a purpose. The point was that we are ALL cracked pots, and God can use us for His glory! If you’ll notice, the vase for the roses is one of Mike’s creations. It went through the tornado in Greentown and got chipped. Mike and Di have still been using it as a cookie jar, and now it has another purpose – to bring beauty to Mike.

Mike signed each piece of pottery with the sign of the fish, honoring his Lord, and his name, “Michael.”

I believe that is one of the greatest desires God has for you today, that you would find peace and purpose in the master potters hands. That you would find peace in this world and that you would be with Him in the next.

But today we do not want to grieve without hope because we know the life that Mike built with Jesus and we know where he is. Here these words of comfort and invitation from Jesus.

John

The New International Version Chapter 14

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4

Again this is for all people. This is a generous love. And its a love that casts out all fear.

You see Mike’s faith was central to his life and his ability to feel blessed when it didnt seem like his circumstances would reflect that he was blessed.

John 3:16-17

The New International Version Chapter 3

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Again Jesus came into this world to save you and me, So we could have a better present and an ultimate future with Him, like John.

John

The New International Version Chapter 11

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

No matter who you are and where you come from you are invited to experience this new life in Jesus.

In the spirit of the joy we can have for Mike and in honor of his savior, would you join us as we go into a time of worship. Pray.

Today I take comfort and have joy thinking about how Mike is in heaven…he has been made new…free of pain, suffering, and worry. He is with the potter.

He is whole. And he is at rest with Jesus his shepherd and his savior.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside cquiet waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He guides me in the cpaths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You have anointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will bdwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Mike lived the good life. He trusted Jesus, he submitted to Jesus, and he was saved by Jesus.

Mike Still, well done good and faithful servant.

Pray

Listen to this beautiful song that was arranged by John’s daughter Becky.