HOMILY DELIVERED BY THE REV. DR. HAROLD T. LEWIS, RECTOR

CALVARY EPISCOPAL CHURCH, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

AT THE SERVICE IN THANKSGIVING FOR THE LIFE OF J. PAUL SCHEETZ

THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 1997

"Let not your hearts be troubled" (John 14:1)

When an employer receives a resume, he or she may well be impressed with the applicant "on paper," as we say, but a hire will not take place until the hopeful employee is met face to face. The employer is interested in the human side of the applicant, not simply the raw data. A newspaper obituary is, as it were, one's final resume. It chronicles the raw data -- the milestones - of one's life: birthdate, schools, positions held, club and church affiliations. Today, as we gather to offer thanks to Almighty God for the life and witness of Joseph Paul Scheetz, and commend him to the never-failing providence of a merciful and loving God, we remember those unique qualities of his that made him precious in God's sight.

Paterfamilias Paul was a loving man. His nine nieces and nephews and 20 great-nieces and -nephews can well bear testimony to that fact. Theft affection and admiration of him are genuine (and I use the present tense advisedly) because his love and concern for them were genuine. Each one occupied a special place in his heart. But there is absolutely no question in anyone's mind that Paul's heart belonged to Alice. Theft love story is the stuff of which novels are made. It began sometime before that beautiful day 54 years ago when they exchanged vows at this altar. It began in this church on the day that Paul saw Alice Rust sitting between her parents, at which time he announced to all within earshot: "That's the one for me!" He then went through the proper channels and arranged to be properly introduced --- at a Calvary Church function, of course.

Since theft marriage, theft home, in the words of the wedding service, has been "a haven of blessing and of peace." I could tell that by the undying affection and devotion in Alice's eyes after Paul's death. The priest knows that some widows are so distraught when planning a funeral, that they mumble to the rector between sobs, "Anything you say" or "whatever you think best." Not so Mrs. Paul Scheetz. Alice chose hymns because they had particular meaning for them. And she personally went home, opened her Bible, and read through each of the possible lessons, and chose those that were especially significant, those that spoke to Paul's spirit. No, her last loving gesture for Paul would not be taken lightly; it would not even be left to the liturgical expertise of the rector. Even the title of this service was Alice's decision: "I don't like 'memorial service,' she said. I want it to say 'service in thanksgiving for the life of Paul Scheetz."' Yes, she who for more than half a century had lovingly cared for her husband in sickness and in health would take very seriously this final tribute.

Prankster Paul was a fun-loving man. His family will long remember his whimsical bowties and his water-squirting boutonniere.

Commander Paul was a patriotic man. Having seen action in both the European and Pacific theatres, he knew well the high price paid for the freedom that we all enjoy and most of us take for granted.

Farmer Paul was an adventuresome man. While those a decade or two younger than the Scheetzes had parked themselves in the nearest rocking chair, the octogenarian Mr. and Mrs. Scheetz decided to raise llamas at their farm.

Uncle Paul was a caring man. While many on their death bed are preoccupied with the state of their own soul, trying desperately to make amends for their life and to set things right with God at the eleventh hour, Paul Scheetz, who, in the words of one of the great prayers, "having the testimony of a good conscience," spent his final conscious hours inquiring after the well-being of his extended family of which he was the unquestioned patriarch. He seemed to be assuring them, "Let not your hearts be troubled."

Poet Paul was a bright man with a keen intellect, who never ceased to delight those around him. And because he was especially fond of limericks, the preacher begs the indulgence of his family and friends, and asks to be exonerated of all charges of irreverence for offering the following in Paul's memory:

There once was a man named Paul Scheetz,

Accomplisher of many great feats;

He approached Miss Rust's father,

And said "Sir, I'd rather

Be Alice's, for my heart bleats."

 

Joumalist, poet and farmer,

Seldom irate but much calmer;

Avuncular, witty,

Displaying great pity

For every niece, nephew and llama.

 

And so Paul, we bid you farewell,

For if we the truth were to tell,

We give God the glory

For the wonderful story

Your life's been, O servant, done well!

+Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. AMEN.