John Kissing Funeral

Good mornimg. On behalf of all the family, thank you for being here today to celebrate the beautiful life and legacy of John Kissinger. A man who lived life to the fullest in service to others. A kind man who leaves us with a lasting legacy of love and perserverance. Today as we remember and we grieve, but we do not grieve without hope we think of this picture of heaven that is painted in revelation....

Rev

The New International Version Chapter 21

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!”

Pray

Listen to this song

John Henry Kissinger Jr. , passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021, at his home here in Kokomo at the age of 77.

He was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on July 17, 1944, to the late John Henry and Mary D. (Majeskie) Kissinger.

John was the second oldest of 5 children and came from a big Catholic family.

Although there was a bit of a age gap between him and most of his siblings, they always kept a strong bond and especially his younger siblings looked up to him.

John was an active kid growing up and loved sports. He especially enjoyed wrestling, tracking, and football in which he excelled. He played guard and wore #66. His brother Keith remembers that they played on Sunday afternoons because their field didn’t have lights and they were good, winning back to back conference championships.

Upon graduating from Catholic Memorial High School, John enlisted in the United States Air Force, he would proudly He serve his country from 1962-1966. John was a proud servicemen and veteran who cared deeply for his country. John later would join the Reserves and worked for Grissom Air Force Base from 1980-1994 then continued working there as a civil servant until his retirement in 2004. John was an airplane mechanic, following in his fathers footsteps. Hi first plane he worked was a p-51 hustle….and he worked on the one that is at grisom on display.

john would also work at Miller steel and Chrysler.

When John was 19 he met Judy his first wife. They were together for 27 years and through that union John was blessed with his two children Michael and Amanda.

John was a loving and involved father. He was known by the neighborhood kids as big John. He was the type of dad would would play football and whiffle in the neighborhood. Michael also fondly remembers him coaching his little league baseball team.

John was a loving father to both Michael and Amanda and also to Chris, Tammy, and Amanda who he gained through his true love Janet.

John and Janet met in many ways because of fate. Janet said she just barely end up making the last training night for her new job at H and R block, little did she know it would change her life because through that job she and John met.

When the first met, it took awhile for Janet to realize his name was John and not Jack. Although I bet he was just happy you noticed him.

After about two months of knowing each other, John as her out, in Janet he called into H & R Block and said he wanted to make an appointment with her for 7 PM on a saturday which confused her for a minute since they were not open then.

There loved blosomed quickly.

There first date was march 1 and then he purposed on march 31. On August. 6, 1997.

Together they spent 24 wonderful years together.

I have rarely witness two people so devoted and love with each other. John’s eyes would light up whenever Janet would enter the room and he would often tell me how blessed he was and how he felt bad that he could do some of the things he would like to and that he wished janet didnt have to do so much for him. But I would remind him that she did it because she loves you.

John had a great sense of humor. He always had different jokes he was sharing. He often would say things like, “Oh did you know that guy over there and I went to different schools together.” Or for years at church I would ask him how he was doing in which he would quickly respond with a straight face, “none of your business”…which would be followed up by his contagious smile and laugh and one of his signature hugs.

In our church often times people would try to tell me that they met John and they things they would say was he was the happy smiling guy who always gave out hugs. His kindness was contagious.

John preserved through so much. Especially with health things. In the 70’s John experienced some “silent strokes” that began health issues that would ultimately lead to his MS diagnose in the late 90’s.

Even though these things frustrated him and he wanted to do more, he always focused on what he could do.

John was an optimist, he always would keep a glasses half full perspective. He didn’t complain or feel sorry for himself and he didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for him. John attitude and preservrance in the face of hardships inspired so many. He would always say that he was blessed regardless of his circumstances, this came from his faith that was so important to him, I’ll share more about that soon.

John was a gamily man who was proud of his kids, 14 grandkids, and 21 great grand kids. he always love time with them.

John loved to do woodworking, crossword puzzles, suekdos, and serve others. He spent years serving with Janet at the crossing and would be a greeter at our church.

So much more could be send about my dear friend who truly lived a wonderful life.

I now want to invite up Michael, John’s oldest to share a bit more about his father.

Song

Part of today is allowing ourselves to be honest with God about grief, frustrations, and even anger. the really great news is that He is not afraid of the feelings we have. In fact in the midst of our pain He gives us the gift of His presence and understanding.

PSalm

The New International Version Psalm 34

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Matthew

The New International Version Chapter 5

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

I believe that with my whole heart. That will grief will be a journey. One we wouldn't choose and will not like, we can take comfort in the fact that you don’t face it alone.

Philippians

The New International Version Chapter 4

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I believe that is one of the greatest desires God has for you today, that you would find peace. That you would find peace in this world and that you would be with Him in the next.

But today we do not want to grieve without hope. Paul said these

Romans

The New International Version Chapter 8

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God’s love will always be chasing us and there for us. Every single one of us.

John

The New International Version Chapter 14

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 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. 4

Again this is for all people. This is a generous love. And its a love that casts out all fear.

You see Johns faith was central to his life and his ability to feel blessed when it didnt seem like his circumstances would reflect that he was blessed.

You see John grew up knowing about God but it was in adulthood that he finally truly surrendered his life to Jesus. He went from knowing about him to truly knowing him!

John 3:16-17

The New International Version Chapter 3

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Again Jesus came into this world to save you and me, So we could have a better present and an ultimate future with Him, like John.

John

The New International Version Chapter 14

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

God desires that all his children would come home....that they would trust in him

John

The New International Version Chapter 11

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

No matter who you are and where you come from you are invited to experience this new life in Jesus.

Today I take comfort and have joy thinking about how John is in heaven…he has been made new…free of pain, suffering, and worry.

He is whole. And he is at rest with Jesus.

Listen to this song

I’ll leave you here with one finally thought. John’s favorite verse that he even admitted he stole from janet was Proverbs 3:5-6

The New International Version Chapter 3

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight. g

John lived that out. He trusted him, he submitted to him, and he was saved by him.

John Kissinger, well done good and faithful servant.

If you would like, join me in the Lords prayer before I pray one last time.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen. pray

listen to this song

Grave side

The Book of Common Prayer, 1979 The Burial of the Dead: Rite Two

I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord.

Whoever has faith in me shall have life,

even though he die.

And everyone who has life,

and has committed himself to me in faith,

shall not die for ever.

As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives

and that at the last he will stand upon the earth.

After my awaking, he will raise me up;

and in my body I shall see God.

I myself shall see, and my eyes behold him

who is my friend and not a stranger.

For none of us has life in himself,

and none becomes his own master when he dies.

For if we have life, we are alive in the Lord,

and if we die, we die in the Lord.

So, then, whether we live or die,

we are the Lord’s possession.

Happy from now on

are those who die in the Lord!

So it is, says the Spirit,

for they rest from their labors.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside cquiet waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He guides me in the cpaths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

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

I 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 have anointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will bdwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Pray