Celebration of Life - Gail Miller

Processional In

Welcome w/ Prayer

Congregational Singing: Amazing Grace

Reading The Obituary

Congregational Singing: How Great Thou Art

Pastor’s Remarks

? Prayer??

Congregational Singing: The Old Rugged Cross

Family and Friends Sharing Time

Congregational Singing: It Is Well

Benediction Prayer

Announcement about Luncheon

Processional Out

Welcome

Good Morning. We are gathered today to remember and celebrate the life of a wife, mother, grandmother, friend and dear sister in the Lord.

Prayer

Please join us in singing one of Gail’s favorite hymns:

Congregational Singing

Amazing Grace

Obituary

Gail Marie Miller, age 67, of Mondovi, WI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her beloved family.

She was born in upstate New York on December 11, 1957, to Clifford and Mary (Guino) Simmons, Sr., Gail was raised in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. She graduated from Honeoye Central High School in New York before pursuing further education at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, WI, where she earned an Associate’s Degree in Supervisory Management in 2003.

In the years following high school, Gail moved to Clear Lake, WI, to be closer to her older sister, Elaine. It was in Turtle Lake, WI, that she met James Miller, and their relationship soon blossomed into a deep and lasting love. They married in Barron, WI, on February 8, 1980, and together they raised two children. In 2020, to celebrate their enduring love, Gail and James renewed their wedding vows at Friendship Church in Mondovi.

Gail’s career included a variety of roles where she was known for her dedication and hard work. She worked as a cook at Blondies Café and later owned and operated Zachary’s Restaurant in Mondovi. She also served as the cook at Valley Supper Club and as a quality technician at Hutchinson Technology in Eau Claire. Later, Gail worked as the head cake decorator at Mega Foods in Eau Claire before joining 3M in Menomonie, WI, from where she retired on June 30, 2019.

A devoted member of Friendship Church in Mondovi, Gail contributed her time and talents in various ways over the years.

Outside of work, Gail enjoyed many simple pleasures, including riding horses, watching Hallmark movies, bus trips, and listening to classic country music. She also found solace in spiritual and religious music.

Gail was best known for her culinary talents, especially her baking. Her holiday cookies and pies were a family favorite. Her love for animals and her generous heart, always ready to help others in need, made her a beloved figure in her community. Above all, Gail’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and her life revolved around those she loved. The cherished memories she leaves behind will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Gail will be sadly missed by her beloved husband, James; children, Ashley (Justin) Kobernick of Eleva and Zachary (Jessica) Miller of Mondovi; grandchildren, Louana Miller, Arbor Miller, Kash Kobernick, Micah Miller Aryah Miller, Lilah Miller, and Maverick Kobernick; siblings, Elaine (Richard) Coates, Cathy (John) Crowley, Clifford “Harry” (Kathy) Simmons, Jr., Debbie Roberts, Connie (Denise) Simmons, Cindy Wright, and Pam (Jim) Walsh; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, Gary Roberts.

Pastor’s Remarks

That is what the facts say about , but those who knew know that facts could never sum up a life well lived. For example, (recall personal anecdotes).

When she worked over in Eleva

When she applied for School Cafeteria

??

We can take comfort today because not only talked with the Lord, but today she is in the presence of the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 5:8 the Apostle Paul said that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Today as we say good-bye to this dear sister, let me share with you why we can take comfort from the words of Jesus.

John 14:1–6 (ESV)

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

These comforting words, given by Jesus to comfort his disciples, in turn comfort us.

1. Let not your heart be troubled. (John 14:1a)

Death has a way of troubling us, does it not? Just the very nature of death is troubling.

· The unknown

· The uncertainty: what will I do next?

· By all standards, death is the most dreaded event.

But Jesus says, “Don’t let your heart be troubled or agitated because you believe in God.” God brings us comfort today.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

God is providing for us the relief we need.

2. We receive comfort when we realize there is a home. (John 14:2)

C. S. Lewis—

“If we really think that home is elsewhere and that this life is a ‘wandering to find home,’ why should we not look forward to the arrival?” - C.S. Lewis

For us Heaven is many mansions—not just a home, not just a room, but a mansion! This home speaks of God’s provision. There is room for each of us. A weary traveler’s most dreaded sign is NO VACANCY, but that is not true with our home in Heaven. There is always room in his house.

This speaks of God’s care for his own.

3. We receive comfort in knowing that Jesus is returning for us. (John 14:3-4)

Death is simply a waiting room where we wait for the great reunion. Jesus says that if I go I will return. We detest saying good-bye because it means the event is over. We say things like, “I will see you later,” or, “We will do this again.” But we know that is not always a certainty. Plans change, lives turn. But Jesus said, “I will return.”

· This speaks of his love for us.

· This speaks of our value.

4. We receive comfort in knowing that we have a destination. (John 14:5-6)

Thomas, upon hearing that Jesus was leaving, was anxious. He asked, “Lord, we do not know where you are going—how do we know the way?” And with three words Jesus told us about the destination, which will give us the comfort we need in days such as these. John 14:6

John 14:6 (ESV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The Way: He is the path to follow. followed the path.

The Truth: There are no shadows when it comes to following God’s way. He is truth. When he says he loves us, he does. When he says he cares for us, he does. When he says he will return for us, he will.

The Life: Psalm 90:10 says our life is made up of 70 years—80 if there is strength. was years old.

Psalm 90:10 (ESV)

The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.