Robert Laramie Funeral Service
Notes
Transcript
Service:
“Angels Among Us”- Alabama (4:07)
“When I get Where I’m Going”- Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton (4:08)
Obituary:
Robert B. Laramie, age 66, of Edwardsville, IL, passed on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Robert was born on October 2, 1959, in St Louis, MO, the son of Barbara (Nix) Laramie and the late Robert B. Laramie, Sr. Robert married Beverly (Dickerson) Laramie on November 4, 1995, in Wood River, IL. Besides his mother and wife of 30 years, Robert is survived by his two children, Devin Laramie, of Edwardsville, IL, and Alexx Laramie, of Edwardsville, IL; a sister, Denise Wieseman (WIZE-MEN), of Caseyville, IL; several nieces & nephews; and his favorite dogs, Angel & Hondo. Besides his father, Robert was preceded in death by his brother, Jim Laramie. Robert was a veteran of the US Army. Robert was an avid sports fan, especially Cardinals baseball, wrestling, and bike riding. He also enjoyed rock music and Pepsi. Robert was always willing to offer a helping hand to the neighbors whenever they asked.
“Jealous of the Angels”- Donna Taggert (4:09)
Funeral Message:
Today I consider it an honor and privilege to be here. A funeral service takes place because a relationship has occurred. Your relationship with Robert, either directly or indirectly has brought you here today. So, we are here today because of a relationship, but also to be reminded of a few things. Today I want to briefly share with you some comforting truths from God’s Word.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
As we gather to honor and remember our beloved Robert, we find comfort in God’s promise that He is near to those who mourn. His Word even tells us, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” In this difficult time, let us hold onto these three important truths:
1. God is Present in Our Grief
Even in our deepest sorrow, God is with us. He understands our pain and offers His loving comfort. We are never alone, for He walks beside us every step of the way.
He understands our grief. He can sympathize with us in every way. We know that when His dear friend Lazarus died, our Lord and Savior wept, even when He was going to raise Him back to life. Even the promise of heaven, won’t take away the sadness you’ve felt and you’ll still feel, because of how much you love and miss him. But our second truth is this. There is still—
2. The Hope of Eternal Life
Because of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, death is not the end but a doorway to eternal life. We can trust that Robert now rests in the peace of God, free from pain and suffering, embraced in His everlasting love.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
We can have hope, that those who have repented of their sins and believed that Jesus died and rose again, are with Him for eternity, and a day will come that you will see him again. But while we are gathered here to today to honor Robert, you are also surrounded by people who knew him and have their own collection of stories and memories. We can use this day to celebrate and remember him. And our third truth is just that—a:
3. The Call to Remember and Celebrate
Our loved one’s life was a precious gift. Let us cherish their memories, like how
He was a hard worker, not only was he a veteran, but he also served the last ten years as a security guard.
he also really loved Pepsi.
He loved baseball, especially the Cardinals.
He was a big Professional Wrestling fan. I was told that you could never convince him that professional wrestling wasn’t real
, honor the legacy they leave behind,
He loved his family and was incredibly proud of kids
Talking with Beverly, it was evident that she was so proud of Robert too, and she told me so many great and kind things about the type of man that he was.
and continue to live with hope and faith, inspired by the example they set.
He always helped a neighbor
Even in the hospital, he and Beverly would watch church services together.
We can Remember and Celebrate Robert as a loving, strong, faithful man, who worked hard and often lent a helping hand.
A funeral service provides a unique opportunity in the busyness of life to come together, support one another and mourn together. While tears have been shed, and many more will probably be shed still, you are all together for a common purpose. To love each other and to honor and remember the life of Robert. While we are gathered together this morning, I want to highlight three things that we can all be reminded of in a funeral service. The first—
Funeral Service Reminders
1. It reminds us that life is brief.
yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
a. This verse tells us that Life is but a vapor, that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Life is short therefore, we need to make the most of it. Robert did. He gave his life to Christ, he loved life and he loved his family.
b. Because life is short it should be enjoyed. He found enjoyment in life through Cardinals baseball, and being with family. Too often the busyness of life gets in the way of the important things in life that God intended for us to enjoy. Jesus, said that He came to give us not only eternal life, but an abundant, meaningful life, a life full of joy while we are here on earth. Robert enjoyed the life that God gave him.
2. It reminds us that death is certain.
Death was not intended when God created man. The Bible teaches that because our sin, we all will die. But because God’s love for man and the giving of His Son to die on our behalf we all can live with Him. This gives our life purpose and meaning. Death is not the end when you know Him, it is just the beginning.
When a ship sails off beyond the horizon where you can’t see it, does it cease to exist? Of course not! In the same way, just because we do not see Robert does not mean he does not exist. In fact the opposite is true, and we will see him again, if we know Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. Which leads me to the final reminder that the funeral service brings to our minds.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
God’s Word offers some incredible things for us to cling to here. Do not be uninformed about those who are asleep—for we do not grieve as others grieve—without hope. Because of Jesus, we have a hope and faith that there will come a time that all of those who are in Him—will be caught up together, and we will always be with the Lord.
It’s a reminder of together, forever.
THEREFORE—meaning “because of this”—encourage one another with these words. We can be sad, we can miss Robert dearly, but while death is certain, it is not the end for those who have trusted Christ.
How great it is that when we know Christ we will be with our loved ones, together, forever).
3. We need a Savior.
I only know of only one person who could handle death and that was Jesus. I can’t handle it. I’m limited as a person. But because He can handle it, if you know Him you can handle it too. You see since sin, when it entered the world put a rift between God and man and the penalty for sin was death, that penalty had to be paid. There was nothing me, you, or anyone could do to pay that penalty in full. But because God so loved us, he sent His Son and that penalty— It was paid by Jesus on the cross for you and me. It was the supreme sacrifice for you and me.
Let this funeral of Robert remind you today that life is brief, and it is a gift from God to be enjoyed, but because sin is real in the world, we all need a Savior.
(to the family) I know right now it may not seem like life is fair. Robert was relatively young and you are hurting at the loss of him. And you know you are right, life isn’t fair. But don’t confuse life not being fair with God not being good! You’ll miss Robert. You should. He was a big part of your life. I encourage you to remember him. Play those videos in your mind. Cry when you feel like crying. But continue to remember that in the midst of all the hurt that you feel, God loves you. He gave you the gift of this husband, Dad, and friend who loved his family, therefore God must really love you.
In fact He loves you so much that when your life is over, He wants you to come and live with Him…together, forever. Today, is a great day, to put your faith and trust in Jesus as your Savior.
Pray
“Go Rest High on the Mountain”- Vince Gill (5:15)
