Uncle Larry

We knew it was coming, but it's still not easy. It's not easy to be in Korea when your mom is driving an hour back & forth from the hospital almost every day to sit with one of her (younger!) brothers and not be able to help her. It's not easy to think that my cousins won't see their dad again. It's not easy knowing that your grandma, who is in her 80's, had to watch her son become more ill by the day. I can't imagine anything quite as sad.

But, do you know what she said to me today when I finally called her. (Yes, that's a weakness I possess...I am utterly incompetent at dealing with someone's loss. We can tackle that topic another time!) She didn't cry. She didn't complain. She said what I knew she would say all along. That he was exactly where he should be. This is the song that they sang at my grandpa's funeral and it's exactly how she feels. It makes me cry every time I hear it. It's by Mercy Me & it's awesome...

I Can Only Imagine

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

[Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you

Here's what the online paper said about him:

Larry D. Biehler, 51, of Shelbyville, IL., died at 12:45 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2009, in Decatur Memorial Hospital. My mom was with him...

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 28, 2009, in Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Shelbyville, with the Rev. E. Wade Helmkamp officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, and one hour before services Saturday in the church. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville. Memorials may be given to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or Habitat for Humanity in Shelby County.

Larry was born on July 14, 1957, in Shelbyville, Illinois, the son of Raymond and Betty Elliott Biehler. He graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1975. He worked at Qik-N-Ez in Shelbyville and previously worked in Lansing, Michigan for 25 years. Larry was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Shelbyville, a board member for Habitat for Humanity in Shelby County, and an avid fisherman.

Surviving are his sons: Joshua Biehler of Cincinnati, OH.; and Patrick Biehler of Lansing, MI.; daughter, Krista Biehler of Lansing, MI.; mother, Betty Biehler of Shelbyville; brothers: Bob Biehler of Maplewood, MO.; Jan (Cathy) Biehler of Florissant, MO.; and Terry (Leslie) Biehler of St. Petersburg, FL.; sisters: Sharman (Bill) Bastl of Nashville, TN.; and Marlene (Chuck) Waggoner of Shelbyville; aunts: Frances Biehler of Shelbyville; Shirley Hick of Sun City, AZ.; and Bertha Elliott of Mt. Zion; many nieces and nephews; and special little friend, Otis Dean.

We were blessed to live 2 hours from my hometown for the past 3 years, and during this time, he moved back to Shelbyville. He was able to join us for so much during Abby's first few years. He was an excellent great uncle. Abby really enjoyed him & his silliness. Uncle Larry was definitely a Biehler. :) Biehlers are fun & you have to learn from an early age to hold your own. I come from a long line of sarcasm, jokes, & laughter...okay, to be fair, the Waggoners have lots of that too!

So, tomorrow morning, when I'm all the way over here in Korea, my very close family will be celebrating his life. We are celebrating it because he was special and he will be missed. But we are also celebrating because we know he is in a better place. He placed his faith in Jesus a long time ago. While he wasn't perfect, he was exactly who he was supposed to be. He made us laugh. He loved us. He was our family.

Here's to you, Uncle Larry. We love you all the way from Korea & celebrate your life. Missing all our loved ones back in the states...sending love & hugs!

Bloggy love,