Graveside Services for Shirley Ann and Henry Calvin Rouse

We gather today for two purposes.  One is to glorify God, as He is the author of life.  The other is to recognize the lives of Shirley Ann Rouse and Henry Calvin Rouse.

On behalf of the Central Schwenkfelder Church, deepest sympathy is extended to Eric and Susan, John and Kathy, Christian and Erica.

This morning, we turn to the Scriptures to shed light on our situation. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 states,

“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven-- A time to give birth, and a time to die… .”

This passage might give us the impression that death is something natural, just because it is expected.  After all, the Scripture attributes a time for everything under heaven.  There is a certain inevitability associated with death.  But it is never to be thought of natural in the purest sense. 

Death entered our world for a reason.  That reason is due to the presence of sin.   Romans 5:12 states,

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned… .” 

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… .”

Every human being 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.  Rather God has prepared a place for him. 

So how can we access this gift of life after death?  It is not through being a good person or adhering to a moral code.  Rather, it is through the gifts of repentance and faith.  Jesus preached at the outset of His ministry throughout the villages of Galilee:

“The time is fulfilled; the kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent and believe in the gospel.”

Repentance is a change of heart and mind.  It means we go from your way of living to God’s way of living.  It is implied in the act of confession, when a person comes before the Lord and seeks His forgiveness for the offensive things he has done.

And there’s faith.  Faith is not just believing that there is a God.  Most people believe that there is a God.  Faith, rather, is embracing God and following Him.  Jesus said:

“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny Himself; take up His cross and follow Me.” 

Death is a transition from one state of life to another. 

So there is urgency for all to repent of their sins and place their trust in Jesus Christ, in order to possess heaven as their home.

We are also here to reflect upon the life of Shirley Ann and Henry Calvin.

Shirley was from Philadelphia, born on January 17, 1935, while Hank was born on February 20, 1934 and grew up on Long Island, New York.

Shirley spent most of her adult years as a homemaker. Hank devoted his time to PECO.

The couple enjoyed traveling and dining out. Some of their favorite places were Alaska and England.

Early in their marriage found them in Ohio. They were married for 50 years.

Shirley enjoyed sewing, reading and board games in her spare time. She was a lady who knew adversity, having lost her mother at a young age.

Shirley and Hank were blessed with a good marriage. They worked well together and enjoyed a small group of friends in the Willow Grove and Upper Dublin areas.

Hank invested 24 years of his career at Philadelphia Electric Company. He was a Systems Programming Manager. Hank also enjoyed such hobbies as carpentry and home repair. He operated his own business for a time, known as Handy Hank’s Home Services.

Eric remembers special times with his dad, as they would rough-house on occasion. They were rider and horse, respectively. A cherished picture is of Eric with his dad and the caption read: “Have you hugged your horse today?”

Hank enjoyed family time, especially at the holidays. Shirley was a good cook; meats were her specialty. They both enjoyed seafood.

Shirley invested in her loved ones an ability to analyze problems and find a solution; while Hank gave his sons a good work ethic. He served in the US Coastguard for a time.

He would like to be remembered as a good father.

Shirley passed from this life on July 13, 2025; Hank lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on September 22, 2008. We lay them both to rest today.

As you say goodbye to them today, may the Lord grant your His grace to trust Him for comfort and strength. Amen.