It is with a sad yet joyful heart that I tell you that Gary has gone home to heaven where he belongs. The last few weeks we knew that the cancer had spread past a point that we were able to fight. We were able to make him comfortable and be by his side as he breathed his last this side of heaven.
Please join us for our celebration of Gary's life at his memorial service, held Tuesday, April 20th at 4:00 pm at Hope Community Church in Andover, Kansas. A barbecue, "Gary Style", will be held at our home in Elbing immediately following the service.
Each and every one of you has been an important person in Gary's life. As he told us this week, there is nothing more important than our relationship with God and our relationships with each other. We want thank you all for your prayers and support - you have all been wonderful to our family during this time.
If you would like to send comments for the family, feel free to post them here or send to garywgiles@me.com.
Love,
The Giles Family
Hope Community Church
1831 E. 21st St.
Andover, KS 67002
Giles Home
413 N. Johnson
Elbing, KS 67041
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Dear Giles Family,
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you as you grieve your loss. Yet we are also rejoicing that Gary walks with his Savior at this moment.
By Grace,
Bob and Becky Stevenson
Dear Gary Giles Family:
ReplyDeleteWe wanted to send you a quick note of our condolences to you and your family at the loss of Gary. We were shocked to hear of his homecoming. We were glad to hear that you were able to spend time together as a family during this time. I appreciated his encouragement at the end that relationships with God and with others being so important. It is through these relationships that we can get meaning in life. I look forward to spending eternity with him in heaven in the future.
I appreciated Gary & Sandy allowing us to rent their trailer during out stay in Elbing. I also appreciated that you let us borrow your John Deere mower to mow our lawn. I still can’t believe you had such a big yard of grass. Parks here in Japan are smaller than our back yard was. Don’t take your open space for granted there in Elbing. Thank you for being such kind landlords to us during our stay in your house.
I am very thankful for the faithfulness you showed to serving God and keeping God as a top priority in your personal and professional life.
We regret that we will not be able to attend the memorial service on Tuesday, but will be thinking and praying for your family.
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Please send our condolences to you and your families,
Darwin & Karen Stoesz
1-18-18 Katayama
Niiza Shi Saitama Ken 352-0025 JAPAN
dstoesz@send.jp
www.stoesz.com
Sandy and family,
ReplyDeleteWe are saddened to hear of Gary's passing but we can imagine his big smile as he sees his Savior and all of the glories of heaven.
Some time ago I came upon this quote by Dwight L. Moody. I thought you might like it.
One time Dwight L. Moody was asked about his death. In response, he said these words: "One of these days you will read in the papers that Dwight L. Moody of East Northfield, Massachusetts, has died. Don't you believe a word of it! At that moment, I shall be more alive than I am now. I will have gone up higher, that's all--out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal, a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned like unto His glorious body." He went on to say,"I was born of the flesh in 1837. I was born of God's Spirit in 1855. That which born of flesh may die, but that which is born of God's Spirit shall never die."
Alice and Gordon Schultz
The following poem was written by a dear British friend and colleague in Morocco. It helped us cope with the grief and pain after our Mark's death. We share it, praying it will help you, too.
ReplyDeleteBIRTH
Out from the womb, its warmth and comfort leaving,
Break with all former ties--perforce I go,
Not of my choice, but forcibly and grieving,
To the unknown from the safe womb I know.
Swift pain! Strong change! Familiar life is dying;
Helpless I make this lonely journey...where?
Oh joy! Oh mystery! See I am lying
Upon the very heart that brought me there.
Now once again familiar links are breaking;
I go perforce, but neither weep nor morn.
Alone as when I came, but see 'tis waking!
It is not death, dear Lord, but being born.
How dim and veiled till now has been my seeing
In this life's womb, this little earthly while;
In Him I've lived, and moved, and had my being,
But now His arms await me, and His smile.
O womb of earth, I leave your gloom forever,
To breathe another air, where all is mine;
See the pierced Hands that take the cord, and sever,
And lift me to the world of the Divine.
--Mildred Swan
You are in our heart, our thoughts, our prayers.
The first time we met Gary and Sandy (and Leah) was the day we moved our daughter, Becky, into her dorm room, which she was going to be sharing with Leah and another young woman. I'll never forget the sight of that tiny dorm room on the Moody campus with 3 young women and all their parents and at least 2 or 3 siblings all crowded into it! Gary was a rock! He was calmly setting up Leah's computer, getting it all plugged in and making it work. Nothing about the day seemed to be fazing him. Whereas I could barely keep from crying at the thought of leaving my baby girl there! When Leah and Tim got married, Gary and Sandy so cheerfully made arrangements for Becky and I to stay in Elbing for the days leading up to the wedding. Nothing seemed to rattle Gary then either. We didn't know Gary well, but he and Sandy raised a great daughter in Leah. She has been a dear friend to us since that day long ago at Moody. Our hearts go out to your entire family. How thankful I am that when we all are reunited in glory, we'll have all of eternity to get acquainted. You are in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteHis Grace is enough,
Sue and Mike Vanlaningham
Dear Sandy and Family,
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for you loss, but just think how much brighter heaven must be! You have been some of our very dear friends. Butch and I would love to attend your celebration on Tuesday, but we are leaving for a trip for my brother's in Casper, Wyoming tomorrow morning. You will certainly be in our thoughts and prayers.
Love to all of you,
Butch and Glenda Mosiman
So sorry to hear about Gary. We had lost touch since high school, but became re-acquainted this past winter through emails. May God give you peace in this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteBecky (Frank) Sumner - "71"
We feel so privileged to have had Gary as a part of our lives. I will always remember the way his smile had a way of lighting up his face and the mood of those around him. I know he is now sitting at the feet of Jesus, finally free of the pain and struggle. Our prayers and thoughts are with your family. Feel our love.
ReplyDeletePaul and Cathy Lavender
Christine and I would like to offer our deepest heart-felt condolences to Leah and her family -
ReplyDeleteChristine & Carl Diwby
I just want to express my condolences to Leah and her family. I did not know Gary, but I know how highly Leah spoke of him, and what sounded like his overall interest in—and love of—life. I also know he had to have been special to have a daughter like Leah and that surely he is happy in his new life, which he will share with you, his loved ones, just in a different way.
ReplyDeleteLisa Veeck
With profound sadness we express our deepest sympathies to the entire Giles family on the passing of Gary. (We only learned of his home-going today.) With great confidence we know that Gary is now enjoying heaven with many great friends. I'm sure that Leslie and Elsie were among the first to show him around. Heaven's looking better and better everyday. Blessings on you and yours in the days ahead. Love Ray and Janell Zuercher
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry to hear about Gary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Love, Angel McGill
ReplyDelete