Friends, the funeral was interesting. We even had someone comment it was fun. Dad was escorted by a large number of law enforcement vehicles from the funeral chapel to the Dietrich High School. Sirens wailed and lights flashed through town, announcing his arrival. His grand entrance was...grand. There were a few unexpected occurances ranging from Robin tripping up the stairs, to technical difficulties. -The radio thing was both (Lincoln Co. & Camas Co.) Dad's radio numbers being taken out of servcice forever.- Things became more interesting as the day progressed. After a FABULOUS lunch provided by wonderful Dietrich women, we were on our way to Liberty, Utah. The trip was fun, as we traveled in a convoy. (There were a few determined to lead the convoy, but Verlon mostly prevailed. :) We arrived in Liberty to find Dad and the motorcycle patriot riders waiting. (They escorted Dad from the school to the cemetery.) Unfortunately, we had no vault to place the casket in. It had been mistakenly sent to Liberty, Idaho!! It was arranged to get another sent in from Logan and we had a great time conversing with one another while we waited. The vault arrived and we got to watch them lower it and the casket into the ground. It was a beautiful day spent with friends and family. This will be the last update posted by the family. We will continue to check the blog until the end of May so anyone can add a memory of Dad. Thank you so much for sharing our joys and sorrows with us.
Love always, from the Southwick Family
11 comments:
The funeral was absolutely beautiful. I told Jeff he is in the wrong business.
Hey, I am very sorry that we did not attend the services in Liberty. Jeff felt that because Penny had driven the speed limit that it would be all over by the time we arrived. obviously that was not true. I wish we could have been there.
I have never seen a more awesome funeral in my life!! What a tribute to your Husband and Father. It was an amazing sight and feeling as the Police escorted infront of and behind Steven and your family. I have never heard anything like it, all the sirens on simultaniously. It was a spectacular tribute and honour. The Patriot Riders Were awesome We had the opportunity to stand behind them as we were waiting for your arrival. I espeially enjoyed all the colorful patches and thoughts to ponder on our jouney through this life. "don't believe everything you think is true"
I noticed that they did not come into the funeral. Did you invite them? When I saw them standing outside I wondered.
Again, please know that we love and are thinking of you. Little Daniel loved playing with Michael. It was awesome how well they bonded. It is sad that we wont see one another for a long time.
It sounds as though Steve's send off was full of all things that he enjoyed. My stories of Steve are of his advice and helping me through some very rough spots in the road of my life.
Every time I went to the school for a sport event, graduation, concert, well everything, he was always there standing at the bottom of the stairs. Every single time I saw him, his arms where open and I was wrapped up in a bear hug. They where not the most comfortable hugs, since he had on his bullet proof vest. :-)
Thank you all for sharing this moment in your lives with everyone in such an open manner. Cheri, Steve would be very proud of you and your kids, and how you have stood tall during this time.
Steve's funeral, was a time that everyone took a few moments to remember the great man he was and the legacy he has left behind.
A hug to you all,
Bridgett and family
I am so saddened to hear of your loss. I just heard Steve was in an accident a couple of weeks ago. I wish I would have known about this blog sooner.
I haven't seen Robin's smiling face around the Valley. Now I know why.
I pray that you continue to find comfort in one another during this difficut time. Your dad was extremely proud of each and every one of you. He was such a strong and remarkable person. His contributions to his family and community were endless.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kasi Appell (McGhee)
DENI AND I REMEMBER HIM AND HIS WELCOME HUGS THAT HE GAVE. HE ALWAYS MADE YOU FEEL WELCOME NO MATTER WHERE YOU WERE. WE ARE SORRY THAT WE DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE FUNERAL BUT THE TRAVEL WAS JUST NOT POSSIBLE. OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU CHERI AND THE KIDS.
Jim Whitaker inviting himself to talk at the funeral and lenghty eulogy what was a great talk I think interwined when the bishop said he was too long and he asked if he was too loud reminded me of baptists at our barbecue were at the funeral that one person would not sit. His talk was very good though.
Cheri and family,
Your family is an incredible inspiration to me. You are all such an example of faith, dignity and "togetherness". Your strength through this whole experience as well as through Steve's funeral will not soon be forgotten by anyone. I could just imagine Steve's proud smile through the whole service as watched over you.
May you be blessed through the days and weeks to come. You will remain in my prayers and thoughts.
Love,
Shellie
I thought of a memory about Dad that I thought you all would find funny. When we were still going to the church in Shoshone, I rode with Dad one Sunday for Church. Along the way Dad put his hand on the consol with his palm up. I had brought one of those little bears that we used to be able to win at the school carnival with us, so I assumed he had seen my little toy and wanted to take it away so I put it in his palm. Dad
laughed and said Holly I just want to hold your hand. So I got my bear back but I received a much better gift, I got to hold Dad's hand. Any ways I left the bear in the car cause I felt to guilty to bring it in. Thought of this after you guys did the slide show and shared memories so I thought I would put it hear. love ya. HOLLY
OK, I thought of another memory of dad. I will Always remember having him come up behind me and pull my shoulders back, telling me to stand up straight so I wouldn't get a hump. Ok that is all. Love ya.
HOLLY
I would be completely remiss if I didn't leave you with my memories of Steve. When the family lived in Riverdale MANY years ago, I was a VERY young boy two houses away (Wendy is probably closest to my age). At the time, my parents were fairly inactive in the LDS church, but made sure we went. Also at this time, my mother, a school teacher, had recently gone back to teaching after taking many years off to raise 4 small kids. But this meant that she had to leave for work before I left for school ...
So i often found myself hanging out in the mornings at the Southwicks so I could walk to school with Wendy and some of the other kids in the neighborhood.
What struck my as strange and uncomfortable at the time was that this family had a peculiar practice every morning - one with which I was rather unfamiliar: they knelt and prayed as a family before going out the door. I can still see in my mind's eye this small family kneeling on their multi-colored patchwork carpet and inviting me into their circle.
It probably didn't mean very much to me then, but it has meant so VERY much since then. My parents did not teach me very much about prayer (beyond praying over dinner), but a handful of others did in my youth - and for that, I am thankful.
I didn't keep in touch very well with the Southwicks after their move; my parents did better than I, but over the years, it has remained an enduring and precious memory to me that I knew families like the Southwicks, whose father obviously honored his priesthood and taught love and prayer in his home.
Wathing his kids smiling, laughing and horsing-around at the graveside service at Liberty was a testament to me that there had been far more joy than sadness in their home. I'm sure there was mourning, but it was great to see them celebrating Steve in such a raucous manner!
On the lighter side, I remember as a child playing in the woods just to the North of the neighborhood in Riverdale when quite often I would be called home (for dinner, or whatever) by my parents having Steve get on his vehicle's P.A. system and his amplified voice calling loudly into the woods, "Jimmy ... your parents want you home."
Never let it be said that Steve wasn't memorable!
And never underestimate the influence you can have on others - especially children!
I have worked with Steve for many years in the scouting program while he was a district commissioner and I as a co-rep for our program. He was in charge of our meetings and was faithful in serving in his calling. There was a period of time in which I was unable to make as many of the meetings as I would have liked and felt as though I wasn't supporting Steve in his position like I could be. I expressed my apologies to Steve and with loving council he reminded me to always do my very best and to always remember that my wife and two small children needed me also and that they came first. I never heard Steve say a harsh word or utter any criticism towards anyone in all of the situations that ever came about during the time I was blessed to work with him. Steve's selfless example reminded me that I personally could always be a better person. I always looked up to Steve and his example has taught me great things. He definitely made the world a better place.
Im not sure if you guys are still reading this blog or not but i feel like sharing something in memory of steve.
The Broken Chain
We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name
In life we loved you, in death we do the same,
It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone;
for part of us went with you, the day God called you home,
You left on peaceful memories, your love is still our guide;
and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same;
But as God calls us one by one, THE CHAIN will link again.
I wish you all the best and hope you are all feeling ok in this horrible time. I wish I could have been there for the funeral. I have always loved your family and all their weirdness! :) I am so sorry for your loss. Steve was a great man and father. you will remain in my prayers for a long while.
Best of luck to all!
Michelle (Anderson) Yeazel
Post a Comment