A Unique Obituary

I recently published a post on Bob, my long-time friend and retired pastor who had cancer.

Bob passed on to the Church Triumphant early Wednesday morning. I will be participating in his funeral service tomorrow morning before I leave for New Orleans on a work team.

Bob's obituary is not your standard run-of-the-mill death notice. He wrote it himself about a month ago, and last night I received it in an e-mail from his address. Apparently he had arranged with his wife to e-mail many of his friends as a reminder of what was most important to him.

I know he wanted it shared; and I do so now.

After 65 years living on terra firma, I, Robert B. Smeltzer, have transferred my residence to the Kingdom of Heaven. The transfer comes as no surprise as material has been sent for decades. This material with the Master Builder, Jesus Christ has provided a mansion. The property and citizenship was previously paid for by the blood of Christ. There is no Mortgages, no taxes, no insurance, it is completely debt free, and all utilities have been paid for eternity. It is situated in a beautiful neighborhood where all the residences are called Saints. The city is located in a gated community, and if you know Jesus Christ, I will greet you just inside the gate.

Pastor Bob was a faithful servant, serving as pastor in various churches of the East Oho Conference of the United Methodist Churches.

Still living on terra firma are his wife, Constance, Children; Robert John Smeltzer, Columbus, Ohio; Jennifer Lynn Smeltzer, Kansas City, MO; Mary Ann Graham (Dave) and grandchild, Melea of Denver Co.; mother, Kathryn Everett of Delray Beach, Florida; and brother Michael Smeltzer of Miflin, Ohio.

A Celebration of life will be held at Church of the Cross United Methodist Church, 5100 Cleveland Road, Wooster, Ohio. on Saturday, June 10th at 10:30a.m. with fellow clergymen, Ricky Riggs, Tom Shaw, Allan Bevere, Jerry Durham officiating. Burial will take place at Crown Hill Cemetery in Orville.

Friends may call at Auble Funeral Home in Orrville on Friday, June 9, 2006, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at the funeral home web site at www.aublefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County, 2525 Back Orrville Road, Wooster, OH 44691 or Aldersgate Renewal Ministries, (United Methodist Renewal Services Fellowship, Inc.), 121 East Ave., Goodlettsville, TN 37072.

The family wishes to thank friends for their loving support.