When the Saints go Marching In

On July 15th the Lord took a dear friend of mine home. Dr. Lyle V. Sladek was born in October of 1923 in South Dakota. He led a fruitful and productive life. The best part of his life as a boy and young man was documented and recorded by his youngest daughter in the book: "Lucky Stars and Gold Bars" which I highly recommend. It shows a different side of WWII, from the perspective of a young cryptologist, all collected form the various letters he wrote home during his service.

I had the great opportunity to get to know Lyle this past year as we attended the same church though I had first met him may years ago in my early youth, when I was given his book for my birthday and I had him sign it. Of all the countries he visited, Lyle said he loved Switzerland most.

On August 4th his family and friends gathered at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church to remember and celebrate Lyle's life. As we gathered in the sanctuary, the tones of "Ave Maria" and "America the Beautiful" filled the warm summer air. The last of the mourners trickled in and Pastor Frank began the service.

The Congregation then sang "How Great Thou Art", a hymn which reflects a simple yet wonderful trait that Lyle had, namely a straight-forward fascination with everything on God's great earth. After we had finished singing, Lisa M, one of Lyle's niece's read an excerpt from C.W. Leadbeater's "To Those Who Mourn". Thereafter the congregation gave thanks for Lyle's baptism in the Body of Christ in accordance with Lutheran Liturgy.

Jim W, a tenor in the choir and quite an accomplished soloist sang an adaptation of the 23rd Psalm, which incidentally is one of my favorite and could not have been more fitting. As Jim's words echoed out through the church, Pastor read out the 13th Chapter of Corinthians, reminding us all of the Nature of Love.

All in attendance Sang "Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound" and we read John 14:1-6. Now the time had come to share their remembrances and reflections on Lyle's life. Dr. Allen Leland, Lyle's four daughters and one of his son-in-laws shared, all of which gave testimony to a different aspect of Lyle's character and wit. There were tears of joy and laughter of fond remembrance throughout

As the final songs were sung, the Lord's prayer prayed by all, two US Army Officers presented to Pat, Lyle's wife, the star spangled banner. They then asked all members of the Armed Forces, past and present to salute as Taps was played out upon the bugle. The rest of us put our hands over our hearts.

The last song sung by the whole body present was "When the Saints go Marching In", which Pat and Lyle had heard at Joyous Funeral Processional in the Bahamas. With a tear in my eye I bade farewell to my dear friend.

May God keep in eternal tender care

 this life which we shall hold in blessed memory.