Thursday, February 18, 2016

Mile Marker #14 - John Has Finished the Race

Hello Friends -  We wanted to get the word out that we have now reached Mile Marker #14, which is an extremely bittersweet one to share.  John went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 17th around 10pm.  The scripture we thought was so fitting for the end of John's earthly race is 2 Timothy 4:7.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Earlier in the week John had been admitted into the Hospice of North Central Ohio in Ashland.  They did a fantastic job of keeping him comfortable and taking care of all of his medical needs!  Additionally, the care they provided for the family also was incredible!  A very special lady there by the name of Carrie was such a sweet gift from the Lord.  She stayed with Jill and Janie and explained to them every step John was going through as he was crossing over.  Jill and Janie were able to be with John as he left this world and enter into heaven.  Jill prayed with John and reminded him that one day in heaven is better than the best day here on earth and that God loves us more than John even could.  Then they began to encourage John that it was ok to go.  They shared that it was such an incredible experience to witness John smile and open his one eye and know he was seeing Jesus at that time and entering into heaven, forever healed and forever at home with the Lord in paradise.  His peaceful passing was truly a gift from God to not experience the typical symptoms that most do. 

One parting gift we know John would want to share with you all is the story about his decision to become a believer and follower of Jesus.  This video is such an awesome gift that we will be forever grateful to have and revisit often.  We pray you will take the time to watch and let this bless you as well!

We certainly appreciate and have continued to feel your prayers!  Your calls, texts, emails and other messages have meant so much to us.  We apologize in advance that we won't be able to respond to them all, but know that we will be reading them and appreciate them.  THANK YOU!!!!  

Additional details regarding the funeral arrangements will be sent out once they have been finalized. We are tentatively looking at March 4 & 5, but we will confirm back once the dates are firmly set.  

If you could please continue to pray for:
1.  Comfort, rest, endurance and peace for Jill and the family.
2.  Those who love John to feel God's presence and comfort during their time of grieving.  Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
3.  Safe travels for anyone coming to town for John's celebration of life.
4.  For God to use the family for his Glory as we celebrate John's life together.

Thanks again for your outpouring of love and support to John and the family!

In His Love,

The Gooney Gurneys

24 comments:

  1. Prayers and hugs sent to you all!!! I remember when I first started working at the roadhouse and looked forward to seeing you all on Sundays :) John was always positive and smiling, he will be missed by many!!!!!
    -Lindy

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  2. Words cannot express how sorry I am. My prayers are with your family.

    Ellen Hughes Kirkpatrick

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  3. Words cannot express how sorry I am. My prayers are with your family.

    Ellen Hughes Kirkpatrick

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  4. So sorry for your loss but know John is sprinting up there!

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  5. I am very sorry for your loss. May love of family and friends surround you and hold you tight through the diffficult days ahead.

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  6. I am very sorry for your loss. May love of family and friends surround you and hold you tight through the diffficult days ahead.

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  7. What a blessing for you to have been able to pray with John through his passing. His testimony and kind spirit will be a legacy that will live far beyond anything you can imagine. Praying for you as you walk this new road.

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  9. We are so sorry to learn of your loss. Steve and I are holding the Gurneys close in prayer. What an inspiration you all have been for those who loved your father! His life is a is a testimony to God, and family.

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  10. I am so very sorry for your loss. John Gurney was one of the finest men I will ever know. God bless all of you.

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  11. Prayers, peace and comfort to all of you.

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  12. To be able to spend those last moments with John is truly a bitter-sweet blessing. Knowing that he is forever healed and waiting for all who loved him is a comfort only God can bring. I pray that God will comfort his family.

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  13. Remember the man who served his almighty Creator, his country, his community, and most of all, his family. He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men, and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.

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  14. We knew John through officiating and we are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers!
    Steve and Carolyn Helbert

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  15. Sorry to hear about john's passing.

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  16. So sorry to hear about johns passing my deepest sympathy to you and your family.

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  17. So sorry to hear about johns passing my deepest sympathy to you and your family.

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  18. Our Class of '70 team captain has met the Captain of his soul, the Author and Finisher of his faith. Praying for Jill and his children. Rejoicing for John, till we meet at His feet.

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  19. We are so sorry for your and your family's loss. God bless and keep you all. You have our thoughts and prayers. Steve & Ellen Haverfield

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  20. Jill and family -
    We just heard about John's passing. We're so sorry for your loss, but rejoicing for John who is now fully healed and gazing at his Savior face to face.
    Our prayers are with you.
    Love, Jay & Rose Tovey

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  21. Jill and family -
    We just heard about John's passing. We're so sorry for your loss, but rejoicing for John who is now fully healed and gazing at his Savior face to face.
    Our prayers are with you.
    Love, Jay & Rose Tovey

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  22. To: Jill and Johns families, we truly have lost a great friend, I am so glad to have been a small part in his life to be able to speak with him when I moved back to Shelby. May the good Lord bless you all and bring you comfort in your time of sorrow.

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  24. Jeanne and I are so sorry for John's passing, but we know his spirit will always be with us. Knowing John and Uncle Wayne as I grew up and getting to share in their lives when we had family get togethers around the holidays and birthdays and reunions either at Grandpa Gurney's house or one of our other family's homes was always such a joyful occasion for me and I have many photos and home movies of our celebrations featuring John and Wayne. It became even more joyful when he and Wayne both married such wonderful women and had such great families and I only wished I could have been able to have seen you all more often after I left Ohio and I so much wished he could have met Jeanne, though I know in my heart he will get to one day. I would have liked to have seen or talked to him one last time before he left, but I know that he was busy fighting his fight and living his life up to the last. I always admired John and he and Wayne always have a special place in my heart. I admired John for his upstanding character, honesty, strength, humor and positive attitude and his perseverance in maintaining his health. I can't help but imagine that God always smiled on John and he still is (and knowing John, getting him to laugh as well). Rest in Peace Uncle John, and God bless you Jill and your family. We know your faith and everyone's support will get you through this difficult time. Love, Rick & Jeanne Lindsey

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