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Thomas Larson Bodnarczuk ✵ 2002-2021

   
Name at birth: Thomas Larson Bodnarczuk
Date of birth: May 16, 2002
Place of birth: Denver, Colorado
Date of death: May 2, 2021
Place of death: Campbell, California
Resting place: Ryssby Cemetery, Longmont, CO
Submitted by: Mark Bodnarczuk (mark@breckenridgeinstitute.com)

 


Thomas was born at 10:18 am at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. His first home was on Lake Dillon in Frisco, Colorado, at 9,000-foot elevation in the high-country of Summit County. When Thomas was two-years old, we moved to a log home that we built on a 40-acre parcel of land, south of Breckenridge, at 10,300-foot elevation in Park County, Colorado. At that time, Park County only had two traffic lights, and the county was twice the size of Rhode Island. From the time he was a tiny child, Thomas had a deep and abiding love for Colorado – fresh air, clear skies, snow-capped peaks, lots of snow, deep blue mountain lakes, crystal clear streams, enormous remote wilderness areas to camp and hike in, and the laid-back, high-country feeling of the Rocky Mountains.

Thomas was baptized at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Breckenridge, Colorado on Sunday, April 27, 2003, and he made a public profession of faith on March 3, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church in Boulder, Colorado where he said the following: “I was baptized in the Episcopal Church in Breckenridge when I was 11 months old. My parents made promises for me about bringing me up in a Christian home and leading me to faith in God when I was too young to understand. Now I’m old enough to understand things about God on my own, so I told my dad and mom that I wanted to talk about my faith in front of the church. One of my favorite scriptures is John 3:16; ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.’ So today I say on my own, that Jesus is my savior and I want to live for him.”

Thomas was a deep feeling, empathic, and perceptive person who was attuned to his own emotions and the emotions of others. He had character, a conscience, a sense of wanting things to be fair and equitable in life, and relationships. He had a deep sense of integrity. For Thomas, “integrity” was not perfection. Rather, integrity was a commitment to course correction; to coming back to the principles, values, and inner truths that he believed in after he had said or done something that he regretted. Thomas made some wrong decisions, but over time, he would have found his way, his calling, and his destiny in life, if that life had not been taken from him so soon.

Thomas was “edgy” and stood apart from many societal expectations, exhibiting an unconventional type of wisdom that exceeded his years. He was most himself when he was alone in his room – surrounded by walls that were covered with signed posters of his favorite bands, paper tickets from concerts he had been to, and pictures of his family and friends. Thomas was also famous for his “collections” and gathering complete sets of things like comic books, Thomas the Tank Engine trains, Puffles, vinyl LP albums of his favorite bands that he played on his turntable, Lego sets, Pokémon cards, and tee shirts from his favorite bands.

Thomas had little need to judge or try to change others, rather he always tried to notice and understand them because of his deep and abiding respect for his own (and others’) personal boundaries. He sought-out kids (often younger kids) who were being ignored, treated poorly, or marginalized by the “in-crowd” and befriended them, helped them feel accepted for who they were, and often these people became some of his closest and longest lasting friendships.

For the last five years of his life, Thomas and his family attended the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos (PCLG) where Thomas was active in the youth group and made friends with many people who loved him dearly. Thomas made three trips to Mexico with PCLG to build homes alongside families in need, with the goal of keeping families together. The PCLG high school youth group also led two “Love of God” (L.O.G) retreats annually where high school students shared about God’s love in Jesus Christ with their peers. Thomas’ Eagle Scout project involved designing and constructing a lighting system for the redwood grove on the PCLG campus, which allows the church to use this newly lighted space for evening activities and services.

Thomas had a deep thirst for knowledge, and to understand what life is about, and this led him to the YouTube videos and writings of Jordon Peterson. Thomas and his dad, Mark, already had an on-going dialogue about deep matters of psychology, faith, science, truth, and life during “boy-times,” so Thomas introduced his dad to Peterson’s work and suggested that they read him together. Thomas and his dad read and discussed Peterson’s first book, Maps of Meaning, his second book, 12 Rules for Life, and they were in the process of reading Peterson’s new book, Beyond Order when Thomas died.

Thomas was a light that burned brightly. In the 18 years that he lived; he had a powerful impact on the lives of countless people. Over his years as a scout, he did numerous community service projects. Thomas had a heart for the poor, needy, and destitute. For the last 12 years, Thomas sponsored a young Ethiopian boy named Daniel with his own money through Compassion International – a Christian non-profit organization that works to positively impact the long-term development of children living in poverty. Thomas also had a burden for, and helped support, one of the poorest, most neglected cross-sections of American society, Native Americans. Thomas loved his mother Elin, and his father, Mark, from the bottom of his heart, and they loved him more than life itself.

The complete story of Thomas’ life and death is described in Mark Bodnarczuk’s forthcoming memoir entitled, Finding New Life After the Death of My Son, available worldwide on websites like www.amazon.com.


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Timothy Hal Grandey ✵ 1957-2021

Tim Grandey, taken October 31, 2021

   
Name at birth: Timothy Hal Grandey
Date of birth: July 23, 1957
Place of birth: McMinnville, TN
Date of death: June 6, 2021
Place of death: Woodbury, TN
Resting place: His daughter is currently in possession of his ashes.
Submitted by: Savannah Grandey Knies

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Grandey ended his life on June 6, 2021, after an extended illness. Tim was the third child of Philip and Willodene (Tuck) Grandey. A native of Warren County, TN, Tim spent his early childhood in McMinnville before moving to Florida with his family, where he graduated from Vero Beach High School. He received degrees from Freed-Hardeman University and Middle Tennessee State University. He taught history, geography, and civics at high school and college levels. Tim was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and loved singing during worship. Tim had one child (Savannah) with his former wife Shannon (Smith) Grandey. Tim became a grandfather 7 weeks before his death.

Tim is loved and remembered as someone fully human with strengths, weaknesses, flaws, desires, beliefs, and dreams. He is mourned and missed in ways that seem unending. He carries on through the lives of those he impacted, and the depth of his love, though not always expressed during his life, will continue to have a profound effect on the living.


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Thomas Michael Landish ✵ 1947-2022

Name at birth: Thomas Michael Landish
Date of birth: July 26, 1947
Place of birth: Monongahela PA
Date of death: December 18, 2022
Place of death: Washington PA
Resting place: Ashes spread in Lake Erie
Submitted by: Linda Scott (Lindaslash447@gmail.com)

My dearest left me just before Christmas. He died suddenly in a nursing home after suffering a stroke. He was the best man, and he is missed and still loved.


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Lieselotte Hildegard Scheuermann ✵ 1927-2015

Name at birth: Lieselotte Hildegard Scheuermann
Date of birth: September 20, 1927
Place of birth: Mannheim, Germany
Date of death: April 11, 2015
Place of death: Pascagoula, Mississippi
Resting place: Remains donated to University of Mississippi Medical Center
Submitted by: Albert Pettigrew

Lisa, a kind and gentle soul troubled by a storm within her heart, survived World War II in Germany immigrated to United States and was loved by many. She is forever missed.


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Chris Martin Buechler ✵ 1968-2022

   
Name at birth: Chris Martin Buechler
Date of birth: January 29, 1968
Place of birth: Marinette, Wisconsin
Date of death: February 20, 2022
Place of death: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Submitted by: Renee Buechler
   

The Journey

Take my hand and walk with me through the sands of time,

Hand in hand we take the steps to turn our pain benign.

With every grain beneath our feet rubbing away the old,

We walk the path through sand and strain to reach the isle of gold.

It is there we land, holding hand in hand, having trekked for miles,

Through grain of sand and forbidden land, we find the eternal nile,

To bathe in it and re-birth our love, in waters clear and true,

Rest, dear souls and weary feet, for we have walked the miles of woe,

To find ourselves, standing hand in hand, strongly against the tow,

Like a grain of sand, tumbled, forming the base of the land, we grow.

Take my hand and walk with me through the sands of time,

To destiny reached, upon this beach, and meant to last a lifetime.

written for my husband in 2021

 

*******************

 

Chris M. Buechler, 54, of Davie, Florida (hometown Green Bay, Wisconsin), passed away unexpectedly on February 20, 2022.

Chris was born in Marinette, Wisconsin living there and Green Bay, Wisconsin until young adulthood. He graduated from Southwest High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin and earned a master’s degree from Capella University in mental health counseling. In a celebration of love, Chris married Renee (Rauscher) Buechler (hometown Green Bay, Wisconsin) on February 11, 2021.

Chris was an artist, photographer, adventurer, and traveler having earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. He enjoyed epic adventures each year with his son, Landon, and wife, Renee, having seen places such as San Francisco, Gatlinburg, Key West, Tucson, Las Vegas, and many others. Friends and family enjoyed seeing his active life through his Facebook posts and took comfort in the encouragement and positivity he conveyed there. His love of life will be cherished and remembered by many of his family and friends.

Chris was survived by his wife, Renee (Rauscher) Buechler (Florida); his son, Landon Buechler (Florida); his parents, Don & DyAnn Buechler (South Carolina), his brother, Robbie Buechler (North Carolina), his niece, Savannah, his nephew, Luke, and Jennifer Pearl (Landon’s mother). He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents.

A memorial service will be scheduled in the future. If you would like to be made aware of the memorial, please send an email to CMBmemorial@gmail.com to be added to the notification list.


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Paul Whisted ✵ 1958-2021

Name at birth: Paul Joseph Whisted
Date of birth:  August 13, 1958
Place of birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date of death: April 26, 2021
Place of death: Plymouth Meeting
Resting place: Lavalette
Submitted by: Erika Whisted

Cerebral, watchful and devoted to his children, Paul Joseph Whisted of Plymouth Meeting, PA, died on April 26, 2021. Husband to Erika Weinmann Whisted, father to Michael, Miles, Quinn and Rhys Whisted and to Dylan and Alex Schickling, and grandfather to Abigail and Miles Schickling. Paul wanted to be remembered for the love of his family and his music. Love you forever, love you with all my heart, love you when we were together, love you when we’re apart.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Paul’s memory to Fox Chase Cancer Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Miles Paul Whisted ✵ 1997-1997 (Son)

Jane Jernigan Swope ✵ 1939-2018

Jane Jernigan Swope

Jane Jernigan Swope

Name at birth: Ina Jane Jernigan
Date of birth: December 9, 1939
Place of birth: Little Rock, Arkansas
Date of death: April 20, 2018
Place of death: Charles Town, West Virginia
Resting place: Forest Hills Memorial Park Alexander, Arkansas
Submitted by: Schay Swope

 

In Loving Memory

Ina Jane Jernigan Swope, aged 79, died on April 20, 2018 in Charles Town, WV.

She was born in Little Rock, AR and was the daughter of George Edgar Jernigan and Margaret Grey McCarty Jernigan. After graduating from high school, she attended and graduated from Williams Woods College.

She married Ernest Orland Swope, Jr. in Little Rock, AR. She later went on to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and graduated with a BA in Social Sciences.

She was a published writer and a mother to many that she considered to be her children and family. She was a member of St. Marks Episcopal Church. She was also past president of the Arkansas Arabian Horse Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest Orland Swope, Jr. and brother Charles Jernigan. She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Orland Swope and her daughter M. Schay Swope.


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Ernest Orland Swope, Jr. (Husband)

John T. Hoffman, I. ✵ 1927-2019

Name at birth: John T. Hoffman
Date of birth: May 16, 1927
Place of birth: Kentucky
Date of death: April 1, 2019
Place of death: Phoenix, Arizona
Resting place:
Submitted by: Sterling Hoffman

John T. Hoffman, I. went to be with the Lord.

He is survived by his two children, two grandchildren, daughter-in-law, and two great-grandchildren.

John, or Poppy as he is sometimes called, served in the United States Navy.

He graduated from University of Louisville and real estate college.

He will be missed by his family.


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Faith Ruth Ditson ✵ 1935-2017

Faith Ruth Ditson

Faith Ruth Ditson

Name at birth:  Faith Ruth Weber
Date of birth:  March 4, 1935
Place of birth:  Berlin, Wisconsin
Date of death:  September 10, 2017
Place of death:  Cudahy, Wisconsin
Resting place:  Woodlawn Cemetery, Milwaukee, WI
Submitted by:  Lyman Ditson

 

 

Faith Ditson was born March 4, 1935 in Berlin, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Erwin Peter Weber, M.D. and Laura Minna Augusta Rodencal. Faith is proceeded by her husband Lyman Alexander Ditson, son Peter Hugh Ditson, and grandson Johnny Ditson.

She is survived by her son Lyman Allen Ditson of Henderson, NV and her daughter Linda Louise Ditson of Milwaukee, WI. Faith is also survived by four grandchildren, Rachel Schultz, Sarah Ditson, and Cristal Poppy of Milwaukee and Jessie Spraberry of Houston, TX and great grandsons, Alexander Schultz, Jerod and Jacob Spraberry, and great granddaughter Joley Spraberry.

Faith was a long time employee of the Milwaukee Health Department and an employee of Firstar Bank. In her last years, she was well cared for by Sylvan Crossroads of Cudahy.

Faith was loved dearly by all who knew her. She always had a bright smile.

my face, my words, my funny way,
dear mom, please remember me,
a wobbly train through skies of grey,
a thousand miles of scenes to see,

smile my name, my hopeful plea,
grasp but a moment on this day,
my face, my words, my funny way,
dear mom, please remember me,

seeking with past times for a ray,
of discovered light to break free,
your eyes can’t place me, lost are they,
then a kind stranger, must I be,
my face, my words, my funny way,
dear mom, please remember me.

Please support the fight against Alzheimers and Dementia.


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Gordon Robert Olson ✵ 1959-2013

Gordon Robert OlsonGordon Robert Olson and Children

Name at birth: Gordon Robert Olson
Date of birth: August 18, 1959
Place of birth: Minneapolis, MN USA
Date of death: March 3, 2013
Place of death: University of Minnesota Hospital
Resting place: St. George’s Catholic Cemetery, Long Lake, Minnesota
Submitted by: Janel LaBoda

 

 

Our beloved Gordy went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 3, 2013, surrounded by his loving wife, Janel LaBoda, and sister-in-law, Sylvia Pozarnsky. Gordy is survived by his wife; twin children, Scott and Sarah Olson LaBoda, age 10 at the time of Gordy’s passing (who fondly called him “Best Dad Ever,” “Gord Bob,” and “Fig”); mother, Marilyn Regan; brother, Jack; and many loving extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by father, Budd, and sister, Allison.

Gordy was a devoted father, husband, son and brother and friend to all. He was kind and generous and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be missed dearly. Gordy greatly enjoyed sports and outdoor activities including camping, canoeing, skiing, golf, hockey, tennis, soccer, roller blading, biking and scuba diving. He derived great pleasure from his time spent coaching Scott’s Wayzata squirt hockey team and thought very highly of the boys and other coaches. But above all else, he loved his family.

Gordy was employed as a Product Design Specialist at HRST Inc., a provider of heat recovery system technology. Prior to that, Gordy spent many years working for Deltak, where he made many friends. Gordy graduated from Park Center High School (1977) and Hennepin Technical College and attended North Hennepin Community College.  He is missed every day.Screen Shot 2015-07-03 at 15.17.38


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