Graveside Service for Edwin Schweiger March 19,1929-August 25, 2025

Call to Worship: Matthew 11:28-30

Invocation

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Meditation

Reflections

Words of Committal

Closing Prayer (w/Lord’s Prayer in Unison

We gather today for two purposes.  One is to glorify God, as He is the author of life.  The other is to celebrate the life of Edwin Schweiger. 

On behalf of the Central Schwenkfelder Church, deepest sympathy is extended to Edwin’s family: Edwin J. Shirley and Alice.

This morning, we turn to the Scriptures to give us help and perspective. 

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… .”

The Scripture attributes a time for everything under heaven. In the long list of experiences, it mentions the two bookends of birth and death.  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.

This is good news for the Christian, especially when he finds himself in a world where there is so much death. 

We are also here to reflect upon the life of Edwin Schweiger.

Edwin was quiet and soft-spoken. His wife, Josephine, was a conversationalist. They say that opposites attract.

Ed was always even-keeled. He enjoyed sports on the television, watching the Eagles, Phillies and the San Diego Padres.

He liked caring for his home and maintaining the yard.

A special highlight years ago was throwing birthday parties for his son, Edwin. There were 41 first cousins and so a pool party took place around July fourth every year.

Edwin proudly served in the United States Army 1951-53, being stationed in Germany. He rose to the rank of sergeant and became the food services manager for 600-800 soldiers. There were stories that came from such experiences.

On one occasion, the meat rations were frozen goat. On another occasion, the battalion received the wrong shipment of tuna. One can had a loose seam and so several became ill. Ed had to oversee the operation of finding which can infected so many.

Edwin was a truck driver for many years for North Penn Transfer. He delivered to malls and industrial parks. His wife Josephine worked for the Norristown Area High School. He enjoyed coming home each evening, located in East Norriton off of Markle Road.

Home life was easy. there was no turmoil. Ed was married to his beloved wife for almost 67 years, starting in 1956.

It was said that “Mom and Dad were always in the same room. They were made of old fashioned stubbornness.” They were always together.

There were a few things that Ed cherished. One was breakfast at Denny’s. Another was watching television.

He was a particularly supportive father and grandfather. Through many of his son’s educational pursuits, Ed encouraged his son. Granddaughter Alice saw him as a steadfast figure in her life.

His investments were simple, yet meaningful: a good work ethic and a sense of the mechanical. Ed would help his dad in the garage.

Edwin and his wife moved to southern California to help in the care of Alice and to be a part of her life.

He would like to be remembered as a helpful parent, a good guy, who did well assisting others.

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