Yes, our world was turned upside down last week with the death of our father.

He has since been laid to rest and already missed. It was hard to let him go, but it was necessary for his sake. He didn’t need to be in pain any more.

Our family appreciated all the prayers, thoughts and cards received. The flowers were beautiful and so were the kind words family and friends expressed in their reaction to his passing.

I know we loved him, but we came to realize that a lot of others did too. I’ve said it before, but I don’t know anyone who didn’t like him.

Mom, my siblings and I can’t say enough about the work done by Oliver-Floyd Funeral Home. Dad’s melanoma wreaked havoc on his face, head and hands, but he was made to look very presentable for the viewing, which made it easier to see him go in such a peaceful way, at least for me. And, we thank the team there for their expertise.

I also want to thank everyone who came to Dad’s viewing on Monday. The line seemed to be non-stop and that goes to show me he truly was a loved man. In addition to family, we had seven pastors, a couple of Dad’s co-workers from New Idea, people from Heartland of Greenville and State of the Heart Hospice and many, many friends of the family in attendance at the viewing to say their last goodbyes.

The last two weeks, I feel, have been the hardest days I’ve ever had in my life. I’m just so glad I unintentionally scheduled vacation when I did, or I would never have been able to spend as much time with him in the end. There was some humor with the sadness, with some of the stories that were told, and that was a big help in getting us through.

Mom once again appeared to be the strong one of the bunch, but she always has been. She sat by Dad’s side the night he passed and was close by on the day of the viewing and again at the funeral. It made me proud to be their daughter and see that love they still had between them. After all, they were married nearly 70 years.

We’re all missing him already, but we still have all of the memories we made with this fine man.

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Happy birthday to:

• Aug. 3 to David Bryant, Carrie Kautz, Nicole Arnett-Rice, Denney Heck, Sharon Miller (60), Scott Walters, Ethan Mann (14), John Grilliot, Carol Nelson and Joyce Wendel.

• Aug. 4 to David Loewer, Norma Ellison-Highley, Jerry Barga, Patty Kell Fellers, Mark Shiverdecker, Adrien Lore, Parker Bailey, Janell Randall, Larry Batten and Cody Thwaits.

• Aug. 5 to Todd Brumbaugh, Doug Minnich, Adam Klipstine, Tara George, Marilyn McEldowney and Carla Hill-Clark.

• Aug. 6 to Rita Leis, Cindy Lovejoy, Troy Gasper, Laura Hile Turner, Dann “Slug” Widener, Tia Rhoades and Renata Simmons.

• Aug. 7 to Shelba Kelly, Dennis Sebring (70), Erica Barga, Dave Fitzgerald, Allen Newbauer and Iris Hathaway.

• Aug. 8 to Linda Archey, Ty Gasper, Dick Billenstein, Matt Hiestand and Kathy Hiestand.

• Aug. 9 to Lisa Miller, Robin Grice, Barbara Westgerdes, Kathy Moody Wagner, Jason Billenstein, Adia Brooks, Kim Ward, Steve Garland and Brent Coursey.

• Aug. 10 to Tammy Subler-Morrison, Janet Webb, Ryan Cox, Tom Lawson, Herman Lutz, Doug Leis, Krista Widener, Brenda Brinley and Tonya Blocher.

Happy anniversary to John and Barb Berger (60) and Duane and Kelly Sanning, all on Aug. 4; and Hugh and Melinda Linebaugh on Aug. 10.

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Don’t forget to pray for: Stacy Dorko, Dick Michael, Tracy Bailey, Terri Martin, Darla Robbins, Carol Bollheimer, Roger McEowen, Tim King, Gary Poor, Clinton Linebaugh, Layna Best, Jean Eastridge, Justin Ungericht, Alishia Clark Funk, Shannon Peters Hall, Tom Hawkins, Mike Bale, Phyllis Gibbons, Rosemary Wetzel, Greg Whittington, George Fanning, Angie Young Noggler, Kenny Borger, Mary Marshall, Jenson Fullerton, Judy York, Sue Miller, Gary Reier, Carmen Sanders, Michael Allen Clark, Elmer Long, Anthony Joyner, Shirley Mead, Harry Moody, Jim Moody, Linda Subler, Jerrod Pratt, Tim Ridenour, Shelly Hoffman, Keith Howard, Betty Grimes, Kathy Magoto, Dean Brewer, Lisa Hall, Dick Neff, Tammy Shapiro, Ken Martin, David Magoto, Phil Clark, Sonny Hunt, Terry Longfellow, Don and Nina McDaniel, D’Arleen Waymire, Linda Johnston, Ron Kreitzer, Pappy Harshman, Delores Duncan, John Klipstine, Elsie Svajda, Dave Sherman, Sue Chitty, Phil Chilcoat, Christine Pipenger, Paul Barton, Terry Ungericht, Gracyn Blackburn, Robert Codling, Kohen Thwaits, Dave Starline, Bob Hiestand Jr.

Also, Kathy and Tom Hamilton, Joanne Sharp, Ivan Miller, Cindy Elson, Cary Van De Grift, Dina Dancer Morris, Teresa Mayo Amspaugh, Tina Kiser Deaton, Tonia Thompson, Fred Monnin, Stephen “Brownie” Brown, Nate Epperson, Brad Pipenger, Faye Schlecty, Sheila Reed, Bill Beasley, Steve Cunningham, Kody Ketring, Bob and Sandy Finkbine, Kevin Dickey, Joe Martin, Brenda Grimes, Margaret “Peg” Bundy, Kevin Hemmerich, Penny Starns, Tim Heck, Vanna (Hannam) Abbott, Addie Henderson, Barb Morrow Zimmerman, Samantha Smith, Todd Walls, Ron Kramer, Melissa “Missy” Helmer, Dana Holzapfel, Kara Didier, Carla Welch, Bill Schuette and to all those others who suffer from the many debilitating diseases.

And, God bless all of our military people serving and protecting this nation, as well as rescue, fire and law enforcement personnel who put their lives on the line to protect us.

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Son Jamie and I extend our condolences to the families of: Doug Black, Jack Harless, Heath Gessler and Jim Fast.

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Think about it: “Indecision shows you’re at least trying to figure something out.” — Unknown