Michael Duncan Funeral

Good afternoon, on behalf of Mikes entire family. Welcome and thank you for your presence, encouragement, and comfort in this day and the days ahead. Today we celebrate the life of Michael Duncan. We celebrate the fact that he is no longer in pain nor suffering. In revelation we read of this promise and this hope for all who would trust in Jesus.

Rev

The New International Version Chapter 21

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ u or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

The New International Version Chapter 21

4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ u or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Michael L. Duncan, 54, of Peru passed away at 7:16 p.m., Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN.

Born on May 15, 1965 he was the son of the late Thomas and Shirley Carol Duncan. Mike was born and raise in Peru and here his whole life.

He loved his brother Kevin and his parents but he had an extra special relationship with his mother Shirley who through the highs and the lows of life was always there for him.

Mike grew up and lived his life in Peru.

Mikes true pride and joy were his children Megan, Michael, and Melissa. And he loved his seven grandkids.

Mike was a true outdoorsmen who enjoyed hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting and anything else that put him in the outdoors.  He especially loved involving his kids in the adventures. Whether it was spending the day at Missasinawa just exploring or catching snapper turtles.

Mike enjoyed hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting and anything outdoors. 

Mike was also an avid sports fan He was especially fond of the Indiana Hoosier basketball, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Cub . Although his favorite thing sports related was watching and coaching his children in baseball and basketball.  He at times had some interesting approaches sometimes…maybe even a tad like Bobby Knight at times. He pushed his kids hard because he wanted them to reach their full potential.

He had a great sense of humor and loved joking around. He loved playing around with his video camera constantly making home movies and especially.

His kids said he sometimes would play a game were in the country he would tell the kids to get out of the car then drive a way some and have them come find him.

He loved sports and enjoyed coaching his children in baseball and basketball.  He was an avid Indiana Hoosier basketball, Chicago Bears, and Chicago Cub fan. 

While many parents would do traditional “groundings”, Mike would make his kids do book reports he assigned himself.

Megan and Michael said he might not have been perfect or the most orthodox parent but he truly cared about and loved his kids. And that much of what he did helped shape them and help them build character. Megan said she especially remembers her dad telling her to pursue her education and not feel the need to rely on a man.

But Mike knew Jesus....would especially in hard times seek Him in prayer and had experienced grace.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

“For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son, that who so ever should believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through Him.”

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart ! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus said,

“ I am the Resurrection and the Life.

He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whosoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this ?”

Call people to trust in Jesus....to find hope in him.

The New King James Version Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD

Forever.

Pray

Heavenly Father, we thank You this day for Your precious, eternal, and unchanging Word.  We thank You that You are, to us, the Rock of Ages and the great I AM.

In the midst of our natural sorrow, we thank You for Your supernatural comfort and grace.

In the face of death, we thank You for Your gift of eternal life.

In the face of separation, we thank You for the eternal reunion we so eagerly anticipate.

We thank You for Mike’s life here on this earth, and we recognize that the body that lies before us is not  Mike , but rather the house in which he lived.  We acknowledge that Mike is rejoicing, even now, in Your very presence, enjoying the blessings of Heaven.

Father, we commit his body to the earth, from which our bodies were originally created, and we rejoice in the fact that his spirit is even now with You, the Father..

We anticipate the day when spirit and body shall be united again at the coming of the Lord, and we find great comfort in knowing that we shall forever be together with the Lord.

We thank You Father, that in the days, weeks, and months to come, these realities and the abiding presence of Your Spirit will especially strengthen, sustain, and comfort Mike’s friends and family.

IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.