Funeral for Gilbert “Gibb” Deward Schnarr

Gilbert “Gibb” Deward Schnarr

Gilbert Schnarr Obituary

Gilbert Deward Schnarr 83, a cherished father, grandfather, and brother, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2024, in his hometown of Washington, Indiana, where his story began on September 13, 1940.

Born to the late Scherlotte May Allen Schnarr and Lawrence J. Schnarr, Gilbert grew up in a lively household and attended Alfordsville High School, graduating with the class of 1958. His life was a testament to dedication and love, reflected in his nearly 62 years of marriage to his late wife, Carolyn McClellan Schnarr. Gilbert's commitment extended to his long-standing career at Hoover Precision Ball, where he devoted 35 years and was known for his strong work ethic. Gilbert was also a long standing member of Bethel United Methodist Church, now Bethel Church, and attended the North Campus.

As the former president of the Eagles Lodge 414, Gilbert's influence and leadership left an indelible mark on the community he served. His energetic spirit and willingness to help others will be profoundly missed.

Family was the cornerstone of Gilbert's life, and nothing made him prouder than his beloved children, Donna Kay Stone, Marshall Schnarr (Alicia), Ray Schnarr (Kim), and the late Maurice Schnarr. His love was further multiplied as he was blessed with grandchildren Logan, Tyler, Derek Schnarr, and Andrew Stone. Gilbert's legacy continues with his brothers Carmin Schnarr (Sylvia), John Schnarr (Janis) and Michael Schnarr (Betty), and three sisters, Cleda Mae Kuckuck (Dave), Marilyn Witter (Dewayne), and Arlene Wininger (Richard). He has now reunited with his parents, stepmother, Beatrice Allen Schnarr, his son Maurice, his wife Carolyn, and siblings Malcolm Schnarr, Brenda Witt, and Wyonia Eck.

Gilbert's life was a journey of love, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to those he held dear. His memory will be held in the hearts of his family and friends, and he will be remembered as a guiding light that shone brightly on his community, shared laughter, and love unreservedly. Gilbert Deward Schnarr lived a life that was full, and his reflections will be cherished forever.

Scripture

1 Peter 2:4–6 NIV

4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

Always willing to help

Gibb was a man who may not have been the best at anything, but he was very willing to help with just about anything. He enjoyed being outdoors, farming, gardening, and country life in general. I imagine it was not easy for him to give up farming when he got hurt to focus his time on his factory job.

He loved has family and getting to spend time with them. Although there were challenges, he loved them and he shared some of your stories with me when I visited him at the nursing home. I know he prayed for you and loved you.

He loved being at church. I’ve seen a few preachers at funerals point vaguely to the back of the room and talk about how they can remember this person always sitting in the back row in one particular spot every Sunday. I have often wondered if it was true in those cases or if they just banked on the fact that most people tend to sit toward the back. In our church, several people move around and do not always sit in the same spot. In Gibb’s case, I can tell you it was true. I don’t think Gibb was able to attend church when we moved into town last year, but I was told many times by many people right where Gibb sat, greeting people as they came to and from the worship service. He loved people and found a spot to greet everyone at church because he considered them his people.

He loved to greet and so much more. He helped out with odd jobs around the church, and he helped by mowing the church yard for many years. He also invited people to our church and encouraged them as they grew as friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. Whatever measure of grace Gibb had, he was willing to share with others.

The Chair

Gibb’s ministry of service and presence brought to life some of what Peter said all followers of Jesus should be. Peter says we are Living Stones, gathered together and holding each other up as we all form the House of God. That may not be the most flattering image of a person because most of us do not pay attention to individual stones or bricks in the walls around us. But we notice when they are gone. We see gaps, feel the cold air or rain coming through the holes they leave, and are concerned about other creatures coming through. Those who have experience as builders have other concerns as well. If you lose a stone in a wall that is holding up the structure, the entire wall will weaken, and over time, it may collapse, bringing the entire house down.

In the past year, some of the furniture in the church has been moved around. We’ve repainted some of the walls, worked on the utilities, made some messes, and cleaned up even more messes... we even turned the church into a miniature golf course that helped teach us the Bible, and the complaints have been kept to a minimum overall. But I heard about it from everyone when Gibb was no longer there. Our furniture is replaceable. Gibb is not. In fact, several of our church members thought so much of Gibb that they took his church chair to the nursing home, perhaps hoping to bring a little piece of church to him when he couldn’t come to church.

That chair made an impact, and Gibb continued to be that living stone even at Eastgate. He continued praying for our church, asking about everyone, and doing what he could from his room there. Today, right before we gathered here, several of us from the church gathered at Eastgate and had a church service there. We started that service last month, and Gibb was able to attend that first service with us. To say we did that service in honor of Gibb would not be entirely honest because it is a ministry that will continue on in his absence. But it is a ministry that may not have started without him.

Preparing a Place

Gibb was a living stone who outgrew the wall at the back of our church. He welcomed people as they came to worship the Lord and helped them with whatever they needed. He also outgrew his time on the farm, in the garden, and the factory. He prayed from his room at Eastgate while watching ballgames and westerns and doing word searches to keep his mind active. Ultimately, even as his body faded away, he outgrew his time being a living stone for Jesus in this world. Jesus called him home, to be part of his true home in heaven, rejoined with his beloved family, free from pain and illness, and waiting to greet us when we one day join him in our final home with Jesus.

In John 14, Jesus spoke to the disciples to prepare them for the grief and loss they would experience when He died.

John 14:1–4 NIV

1 “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 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

He told them that He was going ahead of them to prepare a place for them in His Father’s House. I know Gibb was disappointed when his body was not healing faster and that he was concerned and even a little scared when his cancer came back, but even more, He was ready to go. Just like Jesus, who did not want to leave His disciples but knew it was God’s plan, God gives us the Holy Spirit as our comforter and a peace that goes beyond our understanding.

John 14:27–29 NIV

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.

We know that Jesus had a place prepared for Gibb, and we believe there is also a place for us. Gibb, who was not a perfect person, would be there making sure there was a place for you as well, and if he, in his imperfect love, would do that, how much more do you believe Jesus has prepared a place for you?

Brothers and sisters, let God soothe your wounded hearts. Let go of whatever hurt and regret you may have today, and trust that Jesus is caring for Gibb in a way we never could. Know that Jesus holds that same love for you and is making sure there is a place for you. Whatever chair you claim as your own here on earth, Jesus has a better one waiting for you in heaven, and Gibb will be waiting for you there, too.

Closing Prayer