Dad's Last Day

At 5:30a this morning, Mom got me out of bed.  Dad's breathing had changed sometime after midnite.  When I got up to his room, it seemed his breathing was much more shallow, just using his diaphragm and none of his chests muscles, but regular.  I wasn't sure what to do about work because I had a very early case scheduled.  We all decided that this could go on for a day or more and that I should go on to work.  I leaned over and kissed him good-bye, saying, "I love you, Dad.  I've gotta go to work.  I'll see you when I get home."  As I said this, he opened his eyes and his breathing which had been totally regular, completely stopped.  He was gone.  I think all of us in the room had a mixture of emotions: relief that it was finally over and that he went peacefully and grief that he was gone.  We are so thankful that we know that he has now met his savior face to face.  How could we live without that hope?

Later, Gene Burchill came over from Mansfield to take his body to the funeral home.  It felt good to have someone who loved Dad take him away. 

We had a couple of odd things happen.  Last week, Dad, during one of those times when he was seeing things we couldn't, said, "Look at that screen.  It says Gene Koser Dies.  666."  He thought that everyone could see it.  We were all a little worried.  Was he talking about the antichrist?  A couple of hours after Dad died, Tammy asked me what time Dad had died.  I told her he died at 6:06.  I wonder if God had showed him ahead of time the time of his death.  Later this morning, Kaley texted me and asked what time grandpa had died.  I told her.  She said the she woke up at the same time in Tulsa, thinking that something was wrong and couldn't go back to sleep for an hour. 

Mom is doing as well as could be expected.  She was up all nite and is now sleeping.  Of course, she is feeling the great loss, but she is also thanking God for his goodness in all of this. 

Right now, we are planning on calling hours in Mansfield at Snyder's on Lexington Ave. on Friday from 5-8p.  We are going to do the graveside service on Saturday morning at 10:30a tentatively at the Plymouth cemetery, and then the memorial service will be at the Berlin Christian Fellowship church in Berlin, Ohio, at 3p.  We will give more details when they firm up.  In lieu of flowers, we would ask that you make contributions to Holmes County Hospice, 931 Wooster Rd., Millersburg, Ohio 44654 or to Beulah Beach Church Camp, 6101 W. Lake Rd., Vermilion, Ohio, 44089.  Thank you all for your prayers. 

Comments

[Mike Koser]

My heart aches right now Dad. I miss you so much already! But I know you are in a better place, free of pain, reunited with friends and family. You are probably already walking with Bob Beine. I can just picture him leaning against a tall oak tree in heaven, waiting for your arrival, and finally greeting you with a giant bear hug and a big ol' "Gene-OH, boy oh boy, wait 'til you see this place! Let's get going, there's so much I wanna show you!"

Dad, you were a wisdom dispenser when you were here on earth and I still have so many questions I want to ask you. When it's my turn to go, I'll bring a couple bowls of grapes and we can sit down on a golden bench there in the shade of God's glory, sing a few of your favorite hymns and stare down at the milky way together. K? Don't forget!

Until that day Dad, I pray that God will continue to let me feel your strong arms around me, holding me, pointing me in the right direction and picking me up when I fall.

I love you Pop!

Michael

[Rita]

At a time such as this, there are no words, that can make the hurt go away. Just know, that I love each and every one of you, and thank you for giving me a glimpse of these last days for your dad. I know that I am a better person for having known your mom, your dad, and you. Your mom means more to me than I could ever express. I am so very thankful to our dear heavenly father that he heard our prayers. He held your dad close and rocked him into Glory and your mom was there with him to see him cross Jordan.

[Brenda Juday]

Sharon and family, How do I even begin to express my deepest sympathy. I love you so much and wish I could just hold you and hug you tight. We do know that he is not in pain anymore and in the arms of his Jesus. May you all find peace and strength during this difficult time. We send all of our love, Bob and Brenda

[Carolyn McDaniel]

Sharon and family, I have grown to love all of your family as much as I loved you and Gene. Through these daily postings you have shared your joy and your heartache with all of us. I thank your family for showing thier love for Gene and Our Lord and Saviour. You have all been so strong through this journey. I have prayed along side all of you for the peaceful passing. Our God is so Good, All the Time. Thanks again for sharing your wonderful family with all of us. May you find peace just knowing Gene is with Jesus and all his friends and family that have gone on before him.
In Christ we all pray for you and your family at this time of sorrow. Love Carolyn

[ruth & dave koser]

At a time like this there are no words. We cry with you ... not for Gene, our beloved brother & Uncle (he's HOME!!!) but we still have our TEARS.

HE IS ... "The God Who Sees" (Gen16:13) our hearts ... our tears and "The God Who Hears" (Gen 21) "the groans that words cannot express" (Rom 8:26). God hears our sobs as if they are prayers without words!

All our love, ~~ dave, ruth, jim, kathy & kim

[Linda Moores]

To the family I thank you so much for sharing this journey with us. I love Sharon like a sister and it's been such a blessing to know what was happening and reflecting on your lives through the comments and pictures. Gene's life was an inspiration to me, and obviously to more people than we will ever know. I didn't get to be around him much, but I knew a lot about him. Sharon always shared so much about Gene and you kids and it was obvious what kind of man Gene was and how much she loved him and all of you. As painful as Gene's passing is you have the greatest gift that death can bring --knowing that he is in Heaven. I'm so thankful that you all lean on our Lord for it's your faith and trust in HIM that will get you through.

Sharon, I can hardly bear that I cannot be there to talk and to hold you -- to somehow give back a little of what you've given me. My heart aches that you have had to suffer such pain. Please know you all have my sympathy, and that my prayers for the Koser family will not cease. GOD BLESS YOU ALL THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT TIMES AHEAD.

Linda Moores