Funeral Service for Ellis Kratz

Recognize

We gather here to honor the life of Ellis Kratz. On behalf of the Central Schwenkfelder Church, deepest sympathy is extended to Allen Kratz (Karen), Virgil Kratz (Angie) and Ruth Kratz; and Ellis’ grandchildren, Marissa, Daniel, Nathan and Brock. 

Remember

Ellis was one of a kind. A hardworking man, Ellis found it a challenge to relax. He was always doing something. He would not let the dust settle.

Ellis was dependable and handy, which is no doubt why Malcolm Schweiker sought him out for the maintenance position at the new Central Schwenkfelder Church.

Ellis could do it all: plumbing, electrical, landscaping, etc. He was a jack of all trades. Today, it is commonplace for the church to contract different facets of maintenance with outside companies. But in the three and a half decades that Ellis worked here, he did it all by himself.

It was said that he did the job of four people. And, it was nothing strange to find him fixing a toilet on a Sunday morning at the main church building.

Ellis also had a magnetic personality. He was often the first person people would meet and the reason that people stayed at Central.

Ellis was given a plaque upon his retirement at Central in 1994 that read:

“Presented to Ellis F. Kratz; In recognition of 34 years of service to Central Schwenkfelder Church; May 23, 1993.”

But Ellis’ involvement with the Schwenkfelders was way before 1959. Growing up, he attended the Towamencin Schwenkfelder Meetinghouse. He repaired many of the kids chairs that were used each Sunday morning.

Ellis also had a mowing business that he held on the side. He was always busy, mowing the grounds at Central, Meadowood, or the trail mobile home park.

For enjoyment, Ellis and his wife Helen would often journey to Lancaster County. Ellis befriended many of the Amish and enjoyed sharing stories with them.

Ellis and Helen were married for 57 years. He always had the last word, which most of the time was “Yes, Dear.” The couple enjoyed many trips through Perkiomen Tours and Hagee’s. They went all over Europe and Canada, as well as the western United States.

Ellis was a generous neighbor. The family had a sizable garden and much of what they harvested, they gave away to family and friends.

He treated his home like a farm. Just a two-acre patch, they used it to its max, sowing 100 pounds of potatoes, beans, corn, tomatoes and many other vegetables- all grown in love.

Ellis was practical. He told people that he parted his hair with a washcloth. He was the youngest of ten and grew up in Lansdale on a farm- the last dairy farm in Upper Gwynedd.

Ellis was a bright young man. He could have attended Penn State University on a agricultural scholarship, but chose to take care of his parents’ farm instead.

Ellis invested an exceptional work ethic and a gratitude for small blessings into his loved ones. He lived by the Golden Rule, as stated by our Lord Jesus: “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.”

Ellis was frugal. He saved and invested when others did not. Nothing went to waste. He came from the “clean plate society.” The family grew everything they needed, except for flour and sugar.

Ellis had a quiet faith. He trusted in Christ, although he was subjected to many critics over his working years.

He would like to be remembered as dependable. His word was good and he was hard working to a fault. He did not know how to pace himself. He was a multitasker, sometimes falling asleep while milking cows.

Ellis liked old time music- like Bing Crosby and Lawrence Welk. He enjoyed reminiscing about years ago, when times were simpler. His friendships were in place for a lifetime, people like Ellis Kriebel, Sam Kriebel, Merle Kriebel, and Bill and Portia Potts. He appreciated loyalty and that’s what he received.

Rejoice

If there were two theme verses for his life, they would be Matthew 25:21, which he wanted to hear from Jesus’ voice.

Matthew 25:21 ESV

21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Also, Galatians 6:7

Galatians 6:7 ESV

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

But we must not think that one’s spiritual destiny is limited by what one does or does not do. Rather, faith producing love. And such faith was a story of rescue from sin.

As a result of the Fall and our disobedience to God, humankind suffered the sentence of death. All people die because all sin. We are told in Hebrews 9:27 that:

“…it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.”  

At the end of his living years, every person has an appointment to appear before the sovereign God of the universe and give an account for his/her life.

But as frightening as this situation may sound, it was for this reason that Jesus Christ came to this earth as God incarnate so many years ago. Christ died and rose again to abolish death for those who trust in Him. Note Christ’s words in John 11:25:

“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.”

The believer possesses the sweet knowledge and anticipation of life after death, because Jesus arose from the dead. The Christian lives in this world knowing that his real home is not of this world. God has prepared a place for him. 

Death is a transition from one state of life to another. The apostle Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 5:1:

“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

And that when we are absent from the body, we are …at home with the Lord. This is good news for the Christian, especially when he finds himself in a world where there is so much death. So, there is urgency for all to repent of their sins and place their trust in Jesus Christ, to possess heaven as their home.

How do we access this gift of life after death? It is not through being a good person or adhering to a moral code.

Although important, these have never been the way to eternal life. Rather, a relationship with God is found through the gifts of repentance and faith. Jesus preached at the outset of His ministry in Mark 1:14:

“The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"  

Repentance means “to turn; a change of heart and mind.” It is implied in the act of confession, asking God to forgive you for your sins and offenses done to Him and to others.

The other act is faith. Faith is not just believing that there is a God, but embracing Him; following Him; becoming a disciple of Jesus. “Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.”  So, there is urgency for all to repent of their sins and place their trust in Jesus Christ, to possess heaven as their home. It is a wonderful thing that God reached out to us in the gift of His Son, so we could be reconciled to Him.

Ellis believed this. I was able to confirm his faith while he was in the hospital. I was overjoyed to know that he took the Lord seriously.

And I am sure that he would want nothing more than you, his family and friends, to seek the Lord while He may be found, and call upon Him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6-7).