Tony Kelnhofer
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6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
What are the dominant news stories at this time?
War in the Middle East
Presidential Race
Olympic Games
But for those who are here today, a local news story is immediately more important and has a greater impact on our lives for now. Anton Kelnhofer, age 101, passed away peacefully at the House of the Dove on Thursday, August 1. Funeral to be held at Hansen/Schilling Funeral Home in Marshfield, WI on Tuesday, August 6, at 10:30 AM.
What do all of these stories have in common? They all involve an ongoing process that will culminate in a finish. They either have or will come to a conclusion.
The war in the Middle East concerns many because of its violence and loss of life and the potential for it escalating even more before it comes to an end.
The Presidential Race will be decided in the November election.
The Olympic Games hosts a number of various competitions that often involve a finish line and the declaration of the winner of the event who finished first.
Tony’s life on earth has finished after 101 years. Have you ever noticed how at times the Bible describes the life of a Christian as a race that is run and that in the course of time it is finished? It seems to be a popular illustration that St. Paul uses but the writer to the Hebrews also includes it.
22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
The life of Tony can be described as a race of faith. Not a quick dash to the finish line but a very long marathon in which he ran longer than most people do in the modern era. In the US, 2021 records show that in a population of 336,996,624 people, there were 89,739 centenarians (a prevalence of 0.27%). This figure has almost doubled in the last 20 years and centenarians are projected to make up 0.1% of the population by 2054. (Perhaps some of us will be alive to experience that.)
Tony lived a relatively quiet, unassuming life compared to that of famous athletes and celebrities and politicians. That life is briefly described in his obituary and remembered by his survivors.
Dearest Ruth, what an amazing run your Dad had. May you and your entire Family enjoy all the loving stories and memories he so graciously left behind for you to enjoy, as you lock them away in your hearts for safe keeping. May you all find peace in knowing what a wonderful full life he enjoyed. Wishing you and your Family much peace and strength today and all the days ahead. Our thoughts and many prayers with you all, Max & Paula
He came from a large family. Perhaps a challenge to be the first boy who had five older sisters but maybe a blessing too.
He served in the US Army Air Corps and participated in the greatest war in history. He was able to carry out his missions and to be on hand at the finish of the conflict. In his humble way of speaking, Tony did not often speak of those harrowing events. I recall the first time he mentioned it to me almost in an off hand way when he was talking about deer hunting. He said he had hunted deer in Wisconsin every year except for those three years he was in Germany — not really saying in that conversation what he was doing in Germany even though it called for great perseverance and bravery in the face of danger.
In his family life he had enjoyed almost 30 years of marriage before becoming a widower in 1975. The Lord blessed him and his wife with four children.
He was a dedicated worker in the construction business.
As noted in the obituary, Tony was a dedicated member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for over sixty years.
I want to say something about that. It seems that every congregation has that “one guy” who not only has the ability to be the handyman but also the dedication to do not only odd jobs but also to be involved in big projects. Often that willingness to use God given gifts to carry out property projects is coupled with dedication to the worship and the sacraments. Although the infirmities of age finally made that impossible, Tony was dedicated in his worship attendance and you could count on him sitting in that back pew in front of the organ and worshiping our Lord. When he became a shut in, he welcomed the opportunity to be encouraged with the word of God, prayer, and the Lord’s Supper.
Finally, he reached that point in his life that St. Paul refers to in our text. In St. Paul’s case, his departure was near because of political circumstances. He was a prisoner and he was convinced that the verdict would be guilty and that the sentence would be death. In Tony’s case we could say he finally just wore out. But in either case, they were ready.
Sometimes when someone nears the end of their lives, they may feel abandoned or forsaken by others perhaps even by the Lord. (2 Timothy 4:16–18 (NIV)
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
I don’t think Tony felt that his family and friends ever intentionally abandoned him. As a testimony to those who knew him, they continued to care for him and have him be a part of their lives. (100th birthday celebration). Many left him but that was only because he outlived them. Certainly the Lord never left Tony but kept the promise made in the Psalms.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 71:15–18 (NIV)
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all. 16I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. 17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. 18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
We are here today because Tony has finished his race and we believe that he has received the crown of life. There is one less person actively running the race of faith.
Those who remain in Christ are still in the race.
And unlike Olympic games in which each event only has one real winner, St. Paul reminds us that the Lord awards the crown of life to all those who trust in him.
8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
In our lives we have many activities and concerns that we give our attention to. May we never forget the most important race of our lives — the race of faith. May we strive to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus and look forward to a successful finish.
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