Hermann Josef Schafer - 10/3/20

We gather this morning for the purpose of celebrating the life of Hermann Josef Schafer. As we do so we also hope to look beyond this life to what lies behind the doorway called death.

Jesus declared,

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14)

Let's pray together,

Lord, we are still reeling from the suddenness of Hermann's departure from our lives. We come here today to thank you for his life and the influence it had on our lives. Help us as we remember and as we look to you for healing and hope of life beyond the grave. Amen.

Hermann Josef Schafer was born on January 6, 1938 in Kinderburen, Germany. He lived through the horrors of World War II as a boy. He was raised by his siblings because his parents died when he was young. He worked in Germany for the railroad. In 1962 he was smitten with a woman named Margit Wolff. Margit traveled to the United States and when she returned, she announced she was going to move to the United States. Hermann, who loved Germany, decided he loved Margit more. He came to America with a suitcase, almost no money, and could not speak any English.

They came to Burlington to live with some relatives of Margit's. After six weeks they were married. Since Hermann didn't understand English, Margit told him when to say "I do." Hermann claimed this was his loophole out of his marriage because he didn't know what he was saying!

After arriving here, he was taken in and taught a trade in home construction. Hermann worked hard and became a talented carpenter. He learned how to make custom furniture including benches, outdoor chairs, dressers, bookshelves and more. He was also great with cement. There are monuments to his hard work ethic and talent all around the city of Burlington. He painted his tools yellow so he could always identify them.

Hermann and Margit made several trips back to Germany. He never lost his love for his homeland. He looked forward to celebrating Octoberfest here every year. It was a time of music, dancing and beer. He would get there early and stay until late. Octoberfest was cancelled this year, it would have been today. That is somehow wonderfully appropriate.

Around the dinner table Hermann and Margit would often speak in German (so the boys would not understand). Over the course of time, the boys learned some German and the parents could no longer speak in code.

Hermann worked hard for everything he had in life. He believed others could and should do the same. As a result, he was not big on handouts. He was not big on spending money at all. One of his friends said he wouldn't be surprised if Hermann's wallet was welded shut! He would boycott a restaurant who raised prices more than he thought they should.

Hermann was a "people-person." He loved to tell jokes. He wasn't good at it, but he liked to tell them. He enjoyed being in the spotlight. He seemed to have a response for every situation. He took great pride in his appearance. He was always well put together. He didn't want to go out unless he was dressed well with his dyed hair slicked back. However, if you stopped by his house, he might greet you at the door in his boxer shorts!

Hermann had opinions about everything and he was sure you wanted to know his opinions. Some would say he was opinionated. He watched the news avidly and always had "informed" opinions on issues. He was eager to talk with people and some say he would be willing to talk to a tree!

He was a man who was generous and kind. When a neighbor's house was broken into, Hermann was there the next morning with some dead bolt locks he volunteered to install.

It sounds like Hermann had an interesting life with Margit. He loved her deeply. However, sometimes you might wonder≥ He would flirt with everyone but never complimented his wife. They would often bicker with each other. When Hermann would go out for a few drinks with friends, if he was not home at the right time, she would get a cab and track him down! There were some nights this became a little game as he tried to stay one stop ahead of her. One night he raced her home so he could give HER grief for being out too late for a change! He had a cell phone for a very short period of time. He left it on the hood of a vehicle and lost it. He didn't get another one because he didn't want Margit to be able to get to him at all times!

However, Hermann adored his wife. He took good care of her and when she died, he missed her greatly. When Margit was dying, Hermann cared for her even though he was still recovering from his stroke. Margit thought of Hermann as her "sunshine." They loved to dance together. They had a good relationship even though their personalities were very different.

As a dad, Hermann was generous but also expected his sons to work. He wasn't going to give them anything because he never was given anything. But he took great care of his family.

He tried everything he could think of with his son Armin. Finally, he resorted to tough love. It hurt him deeply and caused tension between he and Margit. Armin death was a terrible blow to both he and Margit.

Hermann loved his grandchildren. He used to put the grandkids on his knee and sing German songs to them. He went to all their school activities and their sporting events even though he had no idea what was happening! He never arrived empty handed. He always had a cracker, candy or something to give the kids.

He was a man who loved to eat. (Did you notice how many pictures in the slide show involved food?) He loved steak, and really liked his mashed potatoes and just about anything else you would serve him. He'd finish one big meal and be ready to eat again in a couple of hours.

Hermann has his idiosyncrasies. For example. He was always late to family gatherings. He was, however, seldom late to pick up the grandkids from an event. He liked to sit outside of a house and honk instead of coming to the door. He loved to smoke. He made wine and jam to give away to people. He loved coffee at all hours of the day. He liked Baily's Cream in his coffee but was too frugal to buy it for himself. He survived a stoke, had a kidney removed and had some kind of cancer (which he chose not to treat). He was a man who enjoyed life and was respected deeply. He didn't have any enemies and he didn't hold grudges. He knew he would die someday and faced that as a reality one must accept, and he did.

He died in a car accident on September 11th on his way to eat. It was a good day of fun with his granddaughter. It may actually have been the most merciful and appropriate way for him to die since we know he had some kind of cancer. He leaves behind a legacy that is rich. There are reminders of Hermann all around Burlington in the things that he made. There are many throughout the community who will remember Hermann the German for a long time.

He leaves behind his son, Norman, and his wife Janet. Three Grandsons: Isaac, Henry, and Calvin; two granddaughters, Ashley and Reyna, and a great granddaughter Izabella. He will be missed, and he will be remembered, with affection and admiration.

"YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE" Song

In the Bible, the Apostle Paul was facing possible death. As he reflected on this possibility he wrote: "For me, to live is Christ, to die, is gain."

Paul viewed death as a friend rather than an enemy. He saw it is a promotion rather than the end. He viewed it as the day when he would finally get to meet his Savior face to face.

As you read through the pages of the Bible we read about eternal life; about being made new to inhabit a New Heaven and a New Earth. We read about reunion with the faithful who have died. We are told those who believe and follow Christ will live even though they die.

The near-death experiences of those who have faith in Christ are similar. They report a bright light, brilliant color, great peace and some report meeting family and friends who have died. The Bible paints a much different picture than: "you live, you die, that's it."

It all sounds a lot like wishful thinking . . . except for the historical reality of Jesus. He really did live, He really did do incredible things and . . . anyone who is willing to fairly examine the evidence of the Resurrection will conclude He actually did rise from the dead. This gives Him a credibility no one else has. It is this same risen from the dead Christ, who promises that those who live and believe in Him will live, even after we have died.

Many people talk about Heaven as the destination of everyone who dies. That is not what Jesus taught or what the Bible teaches. It teaches we must admit our rebellion, turn to Christ as the sacrifice for our sin, and then surrender our life to Him and move in a different direction in our life by God's power working in us. Those who refuse to honor and follow Christ will be given what they wanted: life apart from God and all His blessings (joy, music, friendships, beauty, health, enjoyment, contentment). In the end we will all acknowledge that the Lord has been just in His decisions.

I don't know how Hermann would have filled in this statement: "For me to live is ______ and to die is ______." I did not know Hermann well enough to have had any kind of conversation about what he believed. I do know he was raised in the Catholic Church and knew a good deal about the Bible. However, he was German and from the older generation. They didn't discuss things like faith it was considered to be a private matter.

However, God knows all things. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as "good enough". Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Today we must entrust Hermann to the faithful and just hands of God. We do so in the hope that there was a genuine faith he kept to himself. And with that is the hope that someday we will see him again.

With these thoughts in mind I remind you of some of the things we can learn from Hermann's life.

1. If a person is willing to apply themselves and work hard, they can learn to do almost anything.

2. The best thing about a cell phone is it makes it easy for everyone to get hold of you. It is also the worst thing about cell phones.

3. Handouts only make people lazy.

4. It is better to knock on a door or ring a doorbell than it is to sit outside and honk.

5. There is nothing wrong with taking pride in one’s appearance.

6. Grandkids are one of life’s greatest treasures.

7. Never pass up an opportunity for a good meal.

8. Good friends should be cherished

9. A person doesn’t have to be famous to make an impact on those around him.

10. We should live (as Hermann did) in such a way that when we die, we leave behind positive reminders of the life we have lived.

Hermann Josef Schafer lived a full life. He was a good and decent man. He will not soon be forgotten.

Will you pray with me?

Father, we thank you for the people who touch our lives. Forgive us for too often overlooking how special people are until they are gone. We thank you for the color and life Hermann brought to our lives.

Lord, we entrust Hermann now to you and ask that you show Him your mercy and grace. We pray He is enjoying the richness and celebration that is the result of your incredible mercy and love.

I ask for this family and these friends that you draw them close in this time of loss. Comfort and inspire them with wonderful memories.

And Lord, I ask that you draw all of us to You, that we might know the comfort and grace that is Yours alone to give. Grant that we might have some of the spirit and joy in us that characterized Hermann's life. Amen