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It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you all, that Today I lost my only Brother Art. He now rides that great Highway in the sky...Thanks so much for all your well wishes and prayers. By his bedside were his his 2 children, Mon and Dad, my 5 Sisters and Judy and I.... He went so peacefully.... Ride On Brother.
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-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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So sorry for your loss, Neil and Judy. I'm glad it was peaceful and that you had time together first. Beautiful pictures. Thoughts and love from the prairie child.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Neil - you wrote encouraging words to Jeanne and her family at the loss of her brother Jerry and now I have the opportunity to repay your concern for her by offering up prayers in your behalf.
Death is certainly a sad time, but to know that the passing was peaceful is reassuring.
Those great memories will always remain. May God bless you.
Over two years ago I lost my brother to cancer. I can't say that I know how you feel because I can't go inside you, but I have been there and share your thoughts.
[ February 04, 2009, 07:13 PM: Message edited by: Raymond Chapman ]
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Neil, I know how much I love my brother and what he means to me. I have seen what you written about your brother and it the same thing.
My deepest condolences on your loss.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Neil buddy, Im thinking good thoughts for you and your family and am truly sorry for your loss. God bless your hearts.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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Please accept my sincerest condolances, Neil. Your brother will live on in the memories that you hold dear to your heart. Remember the good times you shared. I'm certain that your brother would like that.
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2684 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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I am also so sorry about the loss of Art, your dear brother. Your heart is heavy and I know you miss him so. My sister was lost to cancer years ago. She was only 43, a mother of 4.
I will cherish my sister and brother as you have reminded me again how precious life is. Please know he is in a much better place, I do believe. May peace be with you and your family as you endure this hardship.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3814 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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Thanks so much everyone...my sisters have asked me to do the eulogy...it's going to be hard, My biggest concern is not for me, but Mom and Dad, Dad's 81 and Mom 76, and they are finding it rough...but they have my 5 sisters and me as well as numerous grand children around them... Art had great faith, and was close to his Friend who was also his pastor... reverend Darrel ...who had a sense of humor as weird as As Art's and I.
Thanks again it is appreciated.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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Neil, you didn't ask for advice but I would like to give some anyway.
I've been asked to do several funeral services and the toughest are for family members and close friends. Since I am a very emotional person, it is difficult to say what I really want to without choking up.
My solution has been to write down exactly what I want to say and then memorize those words. Then not stray from those prepared words. The trick is to remove your emotions from the job at hand. Once you begin speaking from thoughts that come to mind you loose it...or at least I do.
None of this is to say that you should not be speaking from your heart, but your responsibility is to celebrate your brother's life and that's not easy to do if you fall apart.
You can "fall apart" at some other time. When you stand before friends and family your job is to bring them comfort and hope.
My apology for trying to tell you what to do, but it's really a tough job for me if I don't prepare well in advance. It's an honor to be asked to speak on such important occassions.
And I pray a lot, too.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Neil, I am so very sorry for your loss. The pictures are just wonderful. I'm praying for you all.
Raymond, those are great words of advice. I will remember them. I'm not a great speech maker in front of lots of people and I tend to wing it, so your advice really struck me as to where I was going wrong.
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Sorry to hear that Neil... sounded like Art fought the good fight and lived life to it's fullest as I've followed the posts regarding his illness.
Thoughts and prayers with you and your family. It's never easy, I'm sure. Let the fond memories of his life and your relationship bring comfort to you.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Thanks Raymond for the great advice...I'm writing it out now..I've done a eulogy before and I agree.. you have to write it down. I just got through the first day of my brothers wake... it was a very emotional day as anyone can imagine. and even writing to all you guys and girls is soothing in itself....
Thanks everyone, this the hardest time of my life....so far.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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This is one part of life that just has no good way about it.
I will tell you this.
Right now all the sad memories of your brother are fresh in your minds and it is a very hard situation to deal with.
But the mind is remarkable, and in time all of the sad memories of Art will fade to the back, and all the great memories will once again come forward.
.
There is no date, no time, it just happens.
I can laugh about my son and yes I still have a good cry. I always say yes I can smile and yes I can go on, but I will always have a broken heart.
Here are to things I found in the past that I had written down and pinned to my cork board.
Maybe they will help a little.
. Admitting that you are powerless in some situations is probably one of the hardest things you will ever do... but it's also the beginning of recovery. Just keep on believing and doing, One day at a time. . . . . .
. Through blurred eyes we find the strength and courage to soar beyond the moment. We look to the future knowing we can never forget the past.
God bless to you and all of your family.
Sam
-------------------- Sam Staffan Mackinaw Art & Sign 721 S. Nokomis St. Mackinaw City, MI dstaffan@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1694 | From: Mackinaw City, MI | Registered: Mar 2004
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I'm sorry to hear of your loss- prayers & thoughts for you all-
-------------------- Catharine C. Kennedy CCK Graphics 1511 Route 28 Chatham Center, NY 12184 cck1620@taconic.net "Look at me, Look at me, Look at me now! I't's fun to have fun, But you have to know how!" Posts: 2173 | From: downtown Chatham Center, NY | Registered: Feb 2004
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Very sad news Neil. As you have written on all your posts "Keep Positive", even though I know it will be tough to do these next few days. Take care.
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I'm really sorry for your loss Neil, its been a sad week around here.
I like Raymond can get choked up real easy, I remember when my dad died aged 63, me and my brother and sisters were going to each say a prayer in the church.
I went down the field and sat by the river saying the Anglers prayer over and over, got really sad, but made it through in the church OK.
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Very sorry to hear about your brother Neil. What a a tremendous loss for all of you.
-------------------- Tony Vickio The World Famous Vickio Signs 3364 Rt.329 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 t30v@vickiosigns.com 607-535-6241 http://www.vickiosigns.com Posts: 1063 | From: Watkins Glen, New York | Registered: Sep 2001
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My thoughts & prayers go out to you and your family,Neil. I lost a sister to cancer so I know it can be somewhat of a relief to know that your loved one is no longer suffering,but you still feel the loss. May God give you strength and comfort you during this time. Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thank you for all the Kind words of support, prayers, and advice. The service was beautiful, tears, laughter and wonderful memories... and Ray I did manage to get through the eulogy with out breaking down...this wasn't a funeral, but a celebration. I just have to get through the next few weeks. I'm going to miss my brother more than any words can say.
Thanks
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I hope memories of the good times and happy days with him bring you through the sad times.
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Oh Neil, I am so sorry to hear the news. My condolences to you, Judy and all your family. You will always remember the great times together, and he will always be in your heart.
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
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