Funeral Service for Harry Voss

Song: Amazing Grace

Welcome

Good morning. My name is Ed Walker and I have the honor to serve as pastor of Racine Assembly of God. Today we have come together to celebrate the life of Harry Voss and to remind ourselves of the hope we have through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Scripture

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians these words of encouragement:

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 (NLT) — 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, 17 comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.

Prayer

Obituary

Jesus gathered his beloved son, Harry George Voss Jr into his arms and took him home to Heaven on a beautiful sunny day. All anguish and frustration is gone.

Harry’s life had been filled with adventure since childhood. He traveled around the world with his parents via steamer. He got to meet the ship captain and I’m sure he asked to steer the ship. India and Africa were such exciting ports of call. Always wanting to do above and beyond the normal. Yup – so Harry.

In High School he was a guitarist in a band and recorded a record. He attended college in Nebraska and fell in love with flying. He became a pilot and enjoyed traveling to many places: Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, and Bahamas. He settled back home in Racine and attended MATC and began life as a machinist.

Harry was an avid outdoorsman and owned many a sailboat during his life and sailed Geneva Lake and Lake Michigan with friends. He loved hunting and had a place in Rome, Wisconsin where he played lumberjack and Mr. fisherman.

He met his wife Carol (nee: Gergel) Miller in 2005. They had many adventures up in Rome, Wisconsin and on Camelot Lake, even experienced a sinking boat after Harry forgot to put the drain plug back in. Lake Geneva was also a favorite place of Harry’s to take rides and eat out.

In his last years Harry and Carol lived in their beloved Wind Point condo, surrounded by serenity and peace. He loved taking his dogs Bruno and Addie for their daily walks, hanging out by the pool, and talking to the neighbors. “Mr. Talkative.” He was a student of many, many subjects – from medicine, war, guns, snipers, art, the outdoors, and more; and achieved many certificates of accomplishments.

The last years were a rough battle with dementia for Harry. To see him slowly drift away was heartbreaking.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Carol; half-sister, Rhoda Voss, daughter-in-law, Kristin (Tapp) and Michael Darwin of Summit, WI., grandsons, Joshua, and Gabriel. Daughter-in-law, Jennifer (Tapp) and Jacob Dallmann, of Union Grove, WI, granddaughter, Natalie, his dog, Addie; faithful friends; Steve and Debi Boguki, Kevin and Pam Ehnert, Sherry Salawater, The Strasser family, The Salawater family and the Lamberty family, in addition to other relatives and friends.

Harry was preceded in death by his father, Harry Voss Sr. D.D.S, mother, Mildred (Johnson) Voss, half-sister, Paulene Mueller, and beloved dog, Bruno.

Eulogy

Harry seemed to always have a story to share or an experience to talk about. He seemed to be born for an experience. Sitting down and doing nothing was not his mode of living.

Harry was very special in your lives—a blessing from God. It stands to reason that John was not an accident—a chance. God made him on purpose. The Psalmist of the Old Testament of Scripture reminds us of God’s work on our lives.

Psalm 139:13–14 (ESV) — 13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

The question is “do we know this truth very well?” How God works wonderfully in our lives? It is times like these, when someone we love and cherishes dies, that there is the possibility to slow down just enough to think about these types of questions. The problem with this is that it demands an answer—and answer can be uncomfortable.

Because, don’t we often go through the busyness of life without thinking a lot on God and what His is wants from us? Let’s face it, we don’t think much about the fact that God made us—and He made us for a purpose. So, what is that purpose?

I think that purpose can be discovered right here and right now. You are here because you love and respect Harryff. You cherish your memories of him—you think about your relationship with him—conversations, laughs—doing life with him. You miss him because he is not here right now.

See, this gives us a clue as to why God created us—it was for fellowship. But, not just for fellowship with one another. He made us for fellowship with Him. He made you and made John and made everyone so that possibly a relationship could be established—a relationship between a person and God. He wants to be with you and you with Him—to do life with God.

It sounds so “out of this world”—doesn’t it? But, God loves you—He values you—and wants to be with you.

In church, we often talk about God’s Son, Jesus—the Second Person of the Trinity—who left heaven to become a person (born in Bethlehem)—God becoming man—dwelling among people—who demonstrated in His love the truth and grace of God.

Right before Jesus was arrested and crucified, He reminded His disciples (His followers) of this truth:

John 14:1–3 (ESV) — 1 “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.

Jesus wants everyone of us to be with Him—together—fellowship—relationship. Whether in life or in death, we are never alone—for God is with us.

See, our purpose is that God wants you to be His friend. But, a question seems to be begged: How can this happen?

When Jesus reminded His disciples that he was preparing a place for them, a question was asked by one of his followers:

John 14:5–6 (ESV) — 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

So, Jesus is the answer. It is through Him that we have life and meaning and purpose. As a result, death is not the end of the story.

In one of Jesus’ many conversations with people, He talked about God’s love for people. And, in one beautiful sentence, He revealed how we can have fellowship with God.

John 3:16 (ESV) — 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Believing in Jesus—the infinite Son of God—who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, gives us life and purpose.

So, today, as we celebrate the life of Harry Voss, let us also be reminded of God’s gift of life for everyone who would believe.

Prayer

Song: Last Dance

To the family, I want you to know how much you are in our prayers. This is both a wonderful time of celebrating his life—but it is also a difficult time of not having him here, right now. So, know this. God gave you such a blessing when he gave Harry into your lives. Count it a privilege and an honor—and give God the glory and the thanksgiving for all he has done through Harry.

Graveside

Psalm 23:title–6 (ESV) — A Psalm of David. 1 The Lordis my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads 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 mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.