Tom Bastean Funeral

Let’s Remember and Embrace

Thomas John Bastean, 82, of Pekin, passed away at 9:48 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022 at his home surrounded by family.

Good afternoon family and friends.

Today we are brought together to remember the life of Thomas Bastean.

My name is Zach Klundt— While I am a member of the family, I was told that someone has to be able to say something without getting choked up.

I’ve been asked to say a few word this morning about Tom and about our savior Jesus.

My plan is for us to laugh a bit, to look back with fondness, and try not to have ton of water flow from our faces.

Thomas John Bastean, 82, of Pekin, passed away at 9:48 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022 at his home surrounded by family.

This is what has brought us together today.

To remember the life our brother, our father, our grandpa, our great grandpa and our friend.

So today, I would call you to remember Tom.

Main Idea: Offer comfort and hope in mist of death and point people to Christ.

Me: I recall one of the first times I met Tom.

It was at a large family gathering.

One of which two of his sons were involved in an epic arm wrestling battle.

And Tom would do as he often did he would sit and he would interact with those who sat near him.

He sat in silence at time but it was not because he was uninterested at what was going on.

He was just sitting back to take it all in.

Because he absolutely loved being with his family.

Over the years I got to witness a man carrying in countless pies, snacks, muffins treats, toys and other gifts through out the years.

And yes there were large bag of chocolate chips that are still being used by some today, or this dozens of nativity sets, what that showed me was how thoughtful Tom was.

I really can’t recall a time that he didn’t show up to a family gathering without something in his hands.

And he would give those out to the people he thought needed them and then he would sit and watch, laugh, and talk, eat and sometime fall asleep.

But never wanting to be anywhere else be there.

And while we are here today to remember Tom, I think we need to acknowledge that having all of those whom he loved so dearly under one roof would have made his heart so full.

I think he would have love it to see us all here today.

We:

As we remember Tom with memories like I shared, I have heard from so many of you memories that you have of Tom.

Because It is the memory that help us to remember.

Like the trips to Cracker Barrel or Panaprosa.

Or consuming some of his world class Potato Pancakes.

Or surving German Spaghetti which was noodles, sauce, sugar and bacon.

How he wanted a glass of milk to be full but not full enough and it was a luck of draw most days.

Hearing how much he loves his grand kids by telling them— I’m going to throw you away.

Or hearing about the time he threatening to put you boys over his knee— good luck with Nick on that one.

How he loved by at his grandkids sporting events.

Even if he would almost get kicked out for yelling at the referees.

He loved and cherished his trip to Cleveland to see the Cubs in the World Series— which they would go on to Win.

Seeing his team win the world series had to be a treasured memory of Tom’s.

While Tom loved all of his children, grandchild and great grandchildren… there is one who was his favorite and that was Kyle.

And everyone is okay with that.

While he may have never learned to text, he did call often.

And seeing his name on your phone, you knew that it would be a quick call, so you took it.

He would just check in, see hows yous was doing?

He would ask about your life.

And then just as quick as the phone begin it would end.

With a Yep/Nope/Alight Then— and then he would just hang up.

So many people’s lives can be a mixed bag of memories— some may be amazing ones and other are memories you would rather forget— but in talking with family certain words kept coming up over and over again.

Jokester

Laughter

Salt

spacebook

Danderloins

Kyle

Loyal

Special

Selfless

Generous

“He would give you the shirt off his back.”

Tom would often say I wish I had all that money that a corvette was worth.

Or all that money that the stadium was worth.

You could fill in the blank with numerous things.

And the question that would get asked is what are you going to do with all that money?

To which Tom would say, “I don’t need all that money— I would just give it to you kids.”

I only got to know time for 13 years but many in this room knew him a lot longer.

And now we are left with one of the most difficult things to do in this life— to find the strengthen to move forward.

Moving forward is seem impossible

To move on without Tom.

To move on without your dad.

To move on without your grandpa.

to move on without your great-grandpa.

To move on without your brother.

It is something that everyone in this room will do at some point.

And many will have different ways of coping and figuring out how to move forward.

But If I may suggest a way that will bring about peace and comfort in only a way that a loving Father can bring.

God:

I believe in the mist of grief and pain that God is there to comfort the hurting.

These are the word from Jesus.

Matthew 5:4

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Today and every day since Feb 5th— God has been with those who are mourning.

It is not an easy thing to say a final goodbye to someone you love.

And it would be easy to dismiss God and say that he doesn’t care that I hurt, where was God when this happened?

David the mighty warrior who went toe to toe with Goliath wrote this:

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

God is present in those time of heart ache and pain and grief.

He is there with you.

He is present why?

because he loves you— and some thoughts you may have this afternoon is that if he loved me then nothing bad would happen.

I strongly disagree— if nothing bad ever happened then you would never be in need of a savior.

Which on the surface may sound awesome— until you come to the reality that heaven is not a place for good people but for people who believe in Christ and are saved.

Tom knows that truth of what happens when you leave this earth.

For he knows what perfect love looks like.

and as Tom left this world he came face to face with his savior, Jesus.

And if He could tell us what it was like when he died— He would tell you about the great love of Christ.

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.

But yet, Jesus did not stay dead no, He wouldn’t be much of a god if he stayed dead.

Yet, Jesus rose from the grave fully alive.

He is the one that we can run to in our trouble and our pain.

For He loves us so greatly that he endured temptation— meaning he never sinned, He died and rose again.

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.

This kind of love says this:

Jesus Matthew 11:28-29

Matthew 11:28–29

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

No matter what you are going through know that there is a savior who loves you and wants to give you rest today.

You:

As a wrap up today— There are three things I want to leave you with.

Number One:

Put your hope in Chirst.

Romans 10:9–10

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.

I beg of you to come to Christ because He loves you and He wants you.

He wants to offer you peace, comfort, grace, mercy, and love.

His goodness is to sweet to miss— don’t miss out on His love for you.

Number Two:

Never stop sharing stories of Tom.

When you remember something about Tom— remind someone else to.

Share the burden.

That is the way we get through painful times in our life— With Christ and with others.

Galatians 6:2

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

And Lastly:

Learn from Tom’s life—

So often I think we don’t learn from others well.

We often go to the things we didn’t like about people and promise to never be like them.

But what about the good stuff that we have spoken about today?

What if you become selfless like Tom?

What if you began to care for people better?

What if you began to bring stuff to people just because you thought of them?

I believe Tom’s life will be marked by the word generous.

How about you what is your life remembered by?

Maybe a better question is what do you want your life to be remembered by?

Love your family well, care for others and always be willing to give the shirt off your back.

I think this would be a great way to remember Tom.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we gather today to remember the life of Thomas Bastean. We gather together as family and friends to 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. Lord thank you for the food that has been prepared for us today, make it be a blessing to us— Lord if anyone today wants to take that first step of faith and call out to you I ask that you soften hearts and hear our cries today— Thank you for today and continue your hand of comfort on us. Amen…

in the words of Tom— Yep/Nope/Alright Then