Funeral Service (May, 2021) - Danny P. Rude

Welcome

This afternoon, we join our hearts together to remember the life of Danny P. Rude. As we begin our time together today, I want us to look to God’s word to bring us comfort and peace. One of the most looked to promises of scripture in times like these is found in Psalm 23. David, who knew his share of heartache and loss writes,

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even 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 overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Isaiah 41:10 -- “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Let us Pray: Our Father in Heaven, We come before you today asking for your help and comfort for the family and friends of Danny Rude. We realize today that you love us and can turn even the shadow of death into the light of the morning. Help us now to wait before you with open and attentive hearts. As we have read in your word, you are our Shepherd, and your desire is to draw near to us today and help us in our time of need. We pray that you would surround us with your love and strength today. Grant us mercy, comfort and healing through your sustaining grace we pray. In your holy and precious name Amen.

Obituary

We are here, not only to support the family in this trying time, but also to remember and reflect on the life of Danny.

At this point, let us do that very thing. I would like to read Danny’s obituary. I do not only do this, because it is tradition, but also because it causes us to look at one man’s life in just a few short paragraphs. Here you will see who he was, a bit of what he was like, and also what he valued and loved.

Danny P. Rude, 67, of Brownstown, passed away at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday May 4, 2021 at Seymour Crossing.

He was born January 2, 1954 in Olney, Illinois to the late Cleatus Dean Rude and Eithel May Rogers Rude. He was an over the road truck driver who travelled all over the country. He loved anything involving westerns.

Danny is survived by his daughters, Billie Tedrow, of Columbus, Connie Conner of Columbus, Rhonda Burdette of Indianapolis, Amanda Poling of Decatur, Indiana and Joretta Clem of Decatur, Indiana; his son, Danny Dean Rude of Clearwater; his brothers, Ronnie and Carl Rude, his sister, Lina Griffy; 33 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Danny was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Rex Rude.

Message

Like was mentioned in his obituary, the one thing that Danny loved was westerns. As I thought about this, I was reminded of a quote from one of the most well-known cowboys: Roy Rogers.

He said, “If there were no valleys of sadness and death, we could never really appreciate the sunshine of happiness on the mountain top.”

While, as a result of Danny’s passing, we may feel grief and sadness. Danny also provides us with the gift of appreciation for the good days, and the happy moments.

Today, each of you have special memories of Danny. Times you shared together, some good times of fun and laughter, times of working and just being together. I encourage you today to pause and remember Danny.

Each one of you has memories of time spent with Him. If we took time today, each of you could share stories that stand out in your minds and hearts as the best. Hold on to and treasure the good memories.

I heard the story not long ago about a young man who had passed away much too soon. A memorial service was held at the chapel of the college where he attended school.

Friends were asked to bring with them to the service, items that reminded them of the young man.

Around the front of the auditorium, one by one, friends began to place pictures, school assignments, flowers, a letterman's jacket, a football, and an assortment of miscellaneous objects that carried more meaning than they had borne just weeks before.

One by one, individuals rose to their feet and emotionally recounted stories of pranks, words of reflection, instances of love and devotion about this man's life. Hearts were moved as memories of moments lived together brought laughter mixed with tears, smiles, and quivering lips.

You see, our memory is a powerful thing. I encourage you to hold on to the good memories that you have of Danny. Recall the good times, the times spent together that come to the front of your mind when you think of him. Treasure these and hold on to them forever.

If there is ever a time when faith and courage are necessary, it is at a time when we must come face to face with death, and with the loss of one we love. I want us look at a brief passage of scripture which is found in the book of Isaiah 40:28-31

“Do you not know?  Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I want to point out just a few things from this passage that can help us all during this difficult time. First,

When Things Are Turned Upside Down, We Must Listen To His Voice (v28a)

Isaiah begins this passage by asking us the questions… “Do you not know? Have you not heard?” So often life can throw so much at us. Things seem to come from all directions and the noise of life combined with stressful situations can drown out and overpower the real truth that we need to hear from God. It is in these times that we have to return to what we have heard and know to be true.

So what do we know to be true? Well even though our life is ever changing, Our God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is as trustworthy today as he has ever been. So when things that we don’t expect or understand come our way, we can count on the fact that if we will turn our attention and a listening ear to Him, He will be there and be faithful to speak, guide and lead us.

The psalmist writes for us to simply “Be still and know that He is God” In other words, When our life is turned upside down…if we will quiet ourselves and really listen, He will remind us that He is God and that He holds everything that we need to see us through. He is faithful.

Lamentations 3:22-23 says “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

As we turn our attention to God, we will find that moment by moment, day after day as we depend upon Him and rely upon him, He will provide.

We simply have to make the choice to open our ears and our heart today to receive all that God has for us.

When things are turned upside down, we must listen to His voice and trust in Him.

Not only that, but Isaiah also reminds us in this passage,

When You Grow Tired & Weary and need Strength, Lean on Him…For God understands and He can handle it. (V28b-29)

The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

So many of the storms that we face in life, drain us emotionally, mentally, and physically. Some of you may even feel drained today. We can all grow tired and weary from the difficulties that surround us. We all battle problems difficulties and hardships! None of us are exempt.

There are likely times when you feel like no one really understands or cars about what you are going through. But I want us to take hold of what the prophet Isaiah understood today.

That even though we will face times in our lives when we may be tired and weary and battered from the hardships that we are facing, that God is not tired or weary and has promised to give strength to us and grant us new power through Him.

Understand that as we seek God in the midst problems, hardship, sickness, or the pain that comes with the death of a loved one, that right there in the midst of it all, God will make Himself known to us. And even though no one else may know or really understand what we are facing or what we need, God understands. He knows what you are going through right now, and realizes all you need, and is standing by to supply.

What we have to do is make the choice to allow Him to work in our lives in a fresh way and receive from God all He promises to give. God won’t force Himself on us, but rather, He leaves the choice to call upon Him in our hands.

We can quiet ourselves and look to Him for all we need, or we can try to do it on our own. The Choice is ours.

I want you to know today, that He is standing by, just waiting and hoping for us to open our heart to Him. So, will you make the choice to lean upon the Lord?

Because when you do, we are reminded that:

Even When Things Seem Hopeless, Lasting Hope Is Found In Him (v31)

“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

In the midst of life’s hardships and letdowns, and loss, we can find fresh hope and renewed strength in the Lord.

We are tempted so often to put our hope in things and people and opportunities that this world offers us. And we know that so often these things disappoint us and let us down.

But when we put our Hope in the Lord, he will never disappoint us or fail us. He will always do just what he promises he will do.

Now that doesn’t mean the days ahead will be easy – it always won’t be. And I am not telling you there will be no pain – No hurt, no hardship. There will be. But if you will put your Hope in God, He will see you through. If you will put your trust in Him, He will always be there for you.

Tony Dungy, former coach of the Indianapolis Colts, in his book “Quiet Strength”, shares the story of his son’s passing in December 2004. He talks about how difficult it was to lose his son and the questions that arose in his mind following his death.

He talks about the support he received from his friends, and team, and fellow coaches and how much it meant to have people around him. He also said this.

“Times will get tough. God doesn’t promise that once we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior we’ll be protected from harm and pain and stress. But He does promise that He’ll always be there to lean upon during those times…..God’s strength is sufficient.

I know that you are hurting this morning. I know that all of you loved and will miss Danny. But I also want you to know that God knows and God cares. And if you will place your faith and trust in him, he will help get you through this difficult time. In fact, He will provide all you need to get through all the ups and downs you will face in this life.

Jesus died on Cross and rose again, that we might have hope and truly live. And live not just any ordinary life. For in John 10:10 Jesus said, “I have come that [you] may have life, and have it to the full.”

I want to encourage you with the fact that in the midst of your sorrow and loss today, Jesus Christ has promised that if you will listen to Him and lean upon Him and Hope and trust in Him with all your heart, he will guide you and provide all that you need. He will see you through. Make the choice to allow Him to be your source, your strength, and your Savior today.

Let us pray……We lift our hearts in gratitude for Danny’s life.

For all that he was to those that loved her, and for everything in her life that reflected your goodness and love we give you praise. We thank you for all of the many ways Her life touched those gathered here today and so many more.

I pray today that if there is anyone here today that has yet to put their trust in you as their Savior that they would open their heart to you today and experience a personal relationship with you today.

Allow your Spirit to bring peace and comfort and strength to this family today and in the days ahead. May all of the good memories that have flooded hearts and minds of Judy, live on in us forever. Thank You for all you do for us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Committal

So now, we come to lay to rest our loved one that has toiled through the years, knowing that we here commit to the earth, only that which is of the earth. His spirit is in the hands of the same loving God who tenderly cared for him in life, and who has provided life everlasting for His own.

The bible promises that there is a day coming when death will be no more. How we long for that day! Until then, may we look to Christ, who gave His life for us, so that we wouldn’t have to face the ups and downs in this life alone.

Jesus came and gave His life that we could know His love and experience His forgiveness, and find hope in Him. His presence surrounds us today to remind us that He loves, that he cares, and that His greatest desire is to have a personal relationship with us. I encourage you to look to Him to find peace and hope today.

God has given us so many great and precious promises to stand on. I want to share with you a couple that I have found comfort in during these times. May you draw comfort today from His word today as well.

John 14:1-3 Jesus said: 1  "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2  In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Psalm 34:17-18 (NET) “The godly cry out and the Lord hears; he saves them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he delivers those who are discouraged.”

Let me encourage you to trust in God and His promises today. His Word is true.

We can stand firm knowing that Jesus will be with us through this difficult time. As you look to Him today, He will provide all you need as you trust in Him. He really cares for you. His arms are open to you today. Simply Trust Him.

Lets pray

Almighty God, we gather today to lay to rest the body of our friend and loved one Danny Rude. We thank you for his life and for all of the memories that you have blessed this family and group of friends with. May these live on in their hearts and remain with them forever. We pray that you would continue to comfort this family and be near to them in this time of need. Our hope, trust and confidence are all in you today. In Jesus’ name, amen.