John Rhein
Honoring Dad December 28, 2015
(Read by John) I’d like to offer some words on:
1. What Dad would have likely wanted to say
2. Reflections on him as our Dad
From Dad: On behalf of Lu Ann and the family, thank you everyone for coming to pay your respects and to offer your condolences. It means so much to have your support and prayers during this time.
Dad would also want to say: “Thank you” to all of you who have in one way or another supported our family over the last 59 years.
- For patronizing Ed’s Radiator auto repair business
- To the teachers, coaches, priests and religious, extended family, aunts uncles, cousins, friends and other positive examples for your help in raising twelve kids.
- Thank you especially to the other Dads in the community – for setting a good example. When once asked who his role models were, Dad said they were the fathers he knew who worked hard to raise good families.
- Ed would say thank you to those who provided his kids the opportunity to work: Whether it was as extra farmhands, babysitting, tutoring, painting, various repair work, spraying and mowing lawns and etc. In your own way, your trust in his kids contributed to our growing up and Dad was grateful.
- For your friendship and countless acts of kindness we received through the years, such as meals when someone was sick or when babies came. And there were a lot of babies!
If it takes a village to raise a child, then it likely took all of Southeastern Michigan to raise our gang.
Dad and the family recognize and appreciate your influence on us and for your support that continues tonight with your presence here. Thank you
Ed would also want to thank all the medical professionals who prolonged his time as his body began to wear out. He’d also offer a special thanks to Bob and Therese’s family for the loving and selfless act of opening up their house to him. Their generosity provided more time to say our good-byes and a loving and caring family environment for Dad to spend his last days.
2. Reflections on our Dad:
- What a great dad we had!
- If the greatest thing a man can do is offer his life for the good of others, than Dad was truly great.
- The radiator shop next to the house provided a service to the community and allowed Dad to be a “stay at home Dad” of the best kind. He was our torch bearer – He used a torch as the tool of his trade and was a keeper of the faith, good principles and values.
- He was always there and we learned from his example. Not just how to fix things, but also the value of a sense of humor, strong work ethic and both the trials and rewards of running a business.
- The effects and benefits of Dad’s example surpass our generation as we witness his grandchildren take on jobs and responsibilities across the country and around the world.
- Dad was not outspoken per se, but his example spoke so loud, that it could not be ignored.
- Dad’s funeral marks the end of this man’s life in this world. But as we have been taught…and now really need to lean-into and believe…It does not end here.
- Dad outlived his physical life and is on the next phase. He is not gone. He just transferred to the next phase.
- You can bet that he will continue to watch over us. To those who loved him, he now lives within us.
- It’s now our turn to carry the torch.
On behalf of the family thank you again.
