Funeral Message
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Papa
Papa
Order of Service:
Songs (Family enters): Who Am I- Elvis Presley (Family will be seated prior)
Welcome/Acknowledgement
Prayer
Scripture Reading
Obituary Reading
Song: Precious Moments- Jim Reeves
Message
Remarks
4 From the Family and then it will be opened up to others.
Poem Reading: Tabby
Song: Your My Best Friend- Don Williams
Closing Remarks:
Songs (Family enters): Who Am I- Elvis Presley
Welcome/Acknowledgement:
On behalf of the family, welcome to the memorial service of Gary McCannon.
My name is Zach Klundt and I was Gary’s first grandson, he was my Papa.
Today we celebrate a life that was full of love and kindness, a life that was lived to the fullest.
Based upon Gary’s profess of faith that he made, we can rest assure that Gary is no longer suffering, but he is in the presence of the Lord.
And Free from pain, the challenges and problems of a body that just wears out.
We mourn because we miss a loved one, but Gary is finally home.
We are the one’s who aren’t home yet.
So this morning we want to remember Gary our husband, our father, our brother our Papa and our friend, and we want to celebrate what we loved most about him.
Today we also want to say good-bye to a dearly loved man.
And lastly we want to focus our hearts on the Lord who conquered death and is our source of hope and strength.
Scripture Reading:
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
Prayer:
Will you join me in prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, we gather today to remember the life of Gary McCannon. We also gather together as family and friends to say goodbye and reflect on the memories we had with him. We are grateful for his love for his family who find comfort in you and in one another. We pray that your peace and presence will be upon us today and we pray this in Jesus precious Name, Amen…
3min
Obituary Reading: Tiffany
Obituary
Obituary
Gary L. McCannon, 79, of Andalusia, loving husband and dad passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at UnityPoint Health-Trinity, Rock Island.
Gary was born on January 17, 1942 in Moline, IL the son of Francis and Ethel (Tompkins) McCannon. He served in the U.S. Army, honorably discharged in 1969. He married Glenda Wheatley on September 23, 1966 in Rock Island and would have celebrated 55 years of marriage this year. He was a hard-working and talented union bricklayer, working for Bob White and Dick Work & Son, retiring in 2004.
Gary, affectionately known as Hoot, will be remembered for his quick wit and good nature. Saying he was an outdoorsmen would be an understatement. He loved the Mississippi River and was a commercial fisherman for many years. He also enjoyed pole line fishing with his family (especially his grandchildren) and friends. Gary’s knowledge and respect for the river was a major part of his legacy to all who knew him. His fish fries were legendary. He enjoyed hunting, especially bow hunting for deer and turkey. His garden was admired and pilfered by many. Gary’s tomatoes were perfection on earth. If you had one, you know – they were the best. Gary’s craftsmanship is evident in the family home he lovingly built with the help of friends. From the brickwork throughout to the carefully curated stone fireplace and hearth, his attention to detail and work ethic has endured. The welcome mat is still always out. The family home is surrounded by trees most of which Gary carried home in his lunchbox and nurtured as seedlings. These now towering trees provide a home and shelter for Gary’s many woodland friends. Daily visits with his bird, squirrel and raccoon pals brought him much joy. The generations of geese that return are offspring of an orphaned flock he raised from eggs.
His absence will be forever felt by his loved ones and friends. But the imprint he made on the world and our hearts will always be with us.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Glenda; daughters, Tabitha (Keith) Klundt, West Des Moines, IA, Tiffaney McCannon (Dan Witz), Brooklyn, NY, Tennesha Duyvejonck, Davenport, IA and Tedra (Corey) Greer, Eldridge, IA; grandchildren, Zachery (Brittni) and Matthew (Hannah) Klundt, Tristan, Tate, Teaghan, Ty Duyvejonck, Adison Greer, Mac and Sally Witz; great grandchildren, Evelynn, Rosalee, Theodor and Auora; brothers Jim (Janice), Art (Nancy), Russ (Sue); and several nieces and nephews.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dale.
Song: Precious Memories- Jim Reeves
Message:
Over the last couple of days it has been challenging and hard but— there has been laughter with memories shared, and it almost feels normal— but it is when the phone rings and someone who hasn’t heard about Papa yet is on the other line— it brings us all back into the reality that we are in— that our husband, our dad, our papa, our brother is no longer here.
We each have found ourselves saying, if only we had more time.
And this doesn’t seem real.
If you have come here today broken-hearted, know that you are now alone—
As many of us in this room feel the same way.
But rest in knowing that God is with you.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
It is safe too safe that the Lord is among us this morning.
For this world is full of brokenness and pain and misery.
And often times we call out or we even cry out “GOD WHY?”
Why now- Why Him-
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
It is safe to say that God’s timing is perfect.
While it may not make sense.
If we had our way we would not be here, but we would be back at the house, the house in which he build with his own hands and a couple of friends.
Yet, we can trust that God knows what he is doing.
Who are we to challenge his authority— we just watch people try put gasoline in a plastic sack.
I think the creators got it.
Today Gary knows the truth about what happens when we leave this world in God’s perfect timing.
For he knows what perfect love looks like.
and as Papa left this world he came face to face with his savior, Jesus.
And because of this, I want to encourage you with some hope this morning.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I believe what Paul is trying to say is not that we should have faith in ourselves to persevere.
But instead faith in Jesus Christ and confident that He is the son of God who died for our sins and is able to forgive us and redeem us and give us a new life in him.
We should have faith that He will sustain us during this difficult time.
That he will give us strength in our weakness.
But one of the interesting things about this illustration of fighting and running to keep the faith, is that it shows that keeping the faith can be hard.
It’s not just peaceful sunsets and Rose Gardens.
It’s a struggle with sin, selfishness, sickness, frustrations with people, financial challenges, discouragement, doubt.
The great Philosopher Mike Tyson once said before a fight... “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.”
Life has a way of punching us in the face at times.
And often time death is what hits us in the face-
When someone dies, there are many things that go on in the lives of those left behind.
Like:
We are brought face to face with the fact that life is temporary.
It often gets us thinking about what is next
And hopefully that causes us to think about our lives. How we are living?
While that are things that we certain think about there is something else we do as well.
We look for comfort.
And if I may ask where does your comfort come from?
Comfort can come from what you have done.
Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
Comfort comes from others.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Comfort comes from God
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
We are family , friends and loved ones of Gary.
We are gathers out of love, honor, sorrow, and respect for Gary and for our family.
The people who are assembled here and those who passed through last night are a testimony to the fact that Papa was loved greatly.
My Papa was a simple man and so today I would like us to remember two simple things.
I would like us to view Gary and his life from the perspective of his family and friends.
and from God’s perspective.
Stories from his life
As that song precious memories played, i though about a lot of memories I had of Papa.
Precious memories indeed.
Precious memories how they linger.
How they ever flood my soul.
How can one put into words that sum up a great man’s life.
To be truthful you can’t— but what we all can do is to tell the stories that show a life well lived.
Stories of our husband, our dad, our papa, our brother and our friend.
Stories are what draws us in.
Stories captivate.
Stories capture.
And stories bring closure.
My papa was a great man— as I get older, I get to hear more stories of him.
Stories of how he and my grandma meet— which was at a bar and his first words were HUBA HUBA!
To a picture of him in just a towel being sent— probably had granny saying huba huba as well.
The story of their wedding day almost 55 years ago
The start of what we call our family.
To 4 bouncing baby girls.
They captured this hunter’s heart.
I was present at all but one of the wedding where I got to see my grandpa beam with joy as he walked each of his daughters down the isles of their own weddings.
And each of you got to watch this man who was your father turn into a grandfather.
Who gained any army of grandchildren that he could send to the little store to get him some sweet treat and also allow us to pick something as well.
And the last thing he always mentioned wasn’t be safe but bring my change back— Only Matthew listened to that one— He is so much better then us.
I go to see him love his grandchildren deeply and with each new addition it seemed like his love grew even more, if that was even possible.
I watched this man love my children with gentleness, pride and fondness.
What I wouldn’t give to hear one more “hey Zachie— Papa loves you.”
I think we could stand up here for hours and share stories of Gary.
And many of you did last night as you walked through the line and paid your respect.
It was humbling to see how many people knew my papa, and were inspired or touched by his life.
Some common phrases were; He was a great man, A one in a million
He built my house and it is perfect 20 years later
He was particular and you got his advice whether you asked for it or not.
And his response was okay that was met with a grin.
We heard of some of his tricks.
His quick wit was legendary.
teaching us how to wiz outside
He never knew a stranger.
His welcome mat was always rolled out to his friends
He taught so much too so many.
Man was he a talker!
He was a hard worker- and he was a perfectionist by nature
He loved people.
He loved his family ferociously.
There is not enough time to talk about all of this stories of hunting, trapping, and fishing.
Never stop telling the stories, of Papa, of Hoot, of Gary
That is how we never forget-- that is how we will make it through.
While we are sad today, I am reminded that it is as we look around we are all sad, but there is something worst out there then being sad, it is being alone and sad.
No one in this room right now that is alone.
Family and friends we have each other.
This is what Gary, my papa stood for— his family and his friends.
So remember him often, celebrate his life, and know that today you are not alone in your pain.
And second above all, I want us to lay Papa to rest with a glimpse of God’s perspective.
While I would not dare speak for God, He speaks for himself through the scripture.
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
Loved ones, as much as Gary, my Papa is loved and cared for by everyone in this room.
God loves him more.
He has known him since he was in his mother’s womb and he knew all of Papa’s years on earth even before they were lived out.
And the hope today that I want to offer is that you are also so incredibly loved by God.
That God sent his son Jesus to this earth to take on our sin.
For sin can only be paid for by death.
And it is Jesus who died in your place— he took our punishment and pinned it to a tree and claimed it is finished.
There is no greater love on this planet then what Jesus did for us on that cross, that he laid down his life for you and I.
And dear loved ones you can experience this love from Jesus.
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Put your hope and your trust in Jesus, the only one who will never let you down and whose love cannot be overcome.
20min
Would you pray with me…
Dear Heavenly father, Today we lift up the family and friends of Gary, May you provide strength and comfort for those grieving the loss of their beloved family member and dear friend. We thank you for the Hope we find in you through your Son Jesus Christ. That through him we find forgiveness and salvation. We thank you for the memories of this dear man. And we are challenged today to leave a legacy of faith in Jesus Christ and love for our families. In Jesus Precious Name we pray… Amen.
As we move towards a time of hearing more stories, you can also be thinking of stories that you may want to share with us, as we hope to have a time to hear from others, but now I ask my Aunt Tiffy to come up.
Remarks:
At this time the some of the family will come forward and share some of their thoughts.
Tiffany?
Matthew
Tristian
Tedra?
*Open it up to the rest of the people
Poem Reading: Tabby
Song: Your My Best Friend- Don Williams
Closing Remarks:
That will conclude our service today
Lunch-in will be at 1:00 out at the Lion Club in Andalusia, we invite as many who would like to come.
While we are there we would love to hear about more memories of Gary.
Please wait to be dismissed as everyone will have a chance to say their good-byes.
Thank you for coming today, thank you for your love and thank you for you support