Dad Stauffer's "home going"

This week brought us an unexpected event - Dick's dad's "home going."   I realize I have some readers here that are not on Facebook, so I am sharing what I wrote on Wednesday evening:  

On February 23 we visited Dad and Arlene Stauffer in their apartment at Pleasant View. Soon thereafter, Dad had to be moved to skilled care. And soon after that Covid-19 restrictions went into effect, and he could no longer have visitors, not even Arlene. Phone calls, FaceTime, and waving from outside had to suffice. But as he weakened, those became increasingly difficult. 

This morning he was unresponsive, and Arlene was allowed to sit with him. We were told we would be allowed in to see him also. So Dick came right home from work, and we left as soon as we could get ourselves ready. We arrived at Pleasant View shortly after 3:30. Several of Dick’s brothers and wives were already there. I remembered how my dad had responded to our singing, so we decided to sing, masks and all. “It Is Well with My Soul,” “Blessed Assurance,” “On the Wings of a Dove.” And sometime as we sang, his spirit left his body and he was gone. Peacefully and without pain or struggle. 

Please pray for Arlene. She never really had a chance to say goodbye. The restrictions came so suddenly. She longed to be able to look into his eyes, to talk with him face to face, but that was not possible. And tonight she’s back in her apartment alone again, and no one can be with her. 

Lord, hear our cries!

Here are the two pictures I posted that evening - our visit on February 23 and our last visit on Wednesday. 

Here is his obituary.

Howard S. Stauffer, 94, of Manheim, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 as loved ones sang him into the presence of the Lord.  

Howard was born July 20, 1925 to the late Henry W. and Emma (Snyder) Stauffer.   He married Ruth (Brubaker) Stauffer with whom he had five sons. They were married almost 33 years when she passed away on August 1, 1981.   He then married Arlene (Weaver) Stauffer in November 1982.  Together they enjoyed over 37 years of marriage at their home in the woods until their move to Pleasant View Communities in November. 

Howard enjoyed raising his boys on the Stauffer family farm where they became known for their delicious homegrown celery.  Later he worked at various businesses, finishing his years of employment at Bomberger’s Store in Lititz at the age of 85.  He enjoyed volunteering with Arlene at Mount Joy Gift and Thrift Shop into his 90’s.  

In addition to his wife Arlene, he is survived by five sons and their wives:  J. Richard (Jean Witmer), Bellefonte, PA; Robert (Doris High), Black Duck MN; Steven (Faye Lentz), Lititz, PA; James (Carolyn Geib), Lititz, PA; and Frederick (Debra Boll), Manheim, PA.  He is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren and his sister-in-law Grace Stauffer.  

In addition to his parents and first wife Ruth, he was preceded in death by his brother Clarence Stauffer, his sister Helen Hernley Keiper, and a great granddaughter.  

Howard was a lifelong member of Kauffman Mennonite Church, Manheim, where he served as song leader and trustee for many years.  He was also an invaluable member of the team that produced the church’s live nativity in the barn for twenty-five years. 

He had a great sense of humor and wit and enjoyed a good prank; was gifted with ingenuity, coming up with inventions to meet any need he or others had; loved music, especially singing with his family; enjoyed the outdoors, camping with his family into his 90’s, going to the family cabin in Juniata County with his boys for deer hunting, sitting on his chair in the woods at home watching squirrels, rabbits, and birds; was a creative woodworker and craftsman; could play a mean game of Rook; had a great time watching church league softball in the summer time; found great satisfaction in growing vegetables and flowers. Above all he had utmost honor and respect for God and his Word, which guided every aspect of his life.   He will be greatly missed by his family. 

The family wants to thank the excellent staff at Pleasant View Communities for their loving care during this difficult season of restrictions.  

Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, interment will be private.  

A public memorial service will be held at a later date. 

So tomorrow we will be having his private burial with many, many restrictions.  We'll wear our masks, we'll be outside, trying to keep our distance from each other.  The hardest part will be that we can't even get together as a family after it's over.  This is really, really hard, especially for a family that enjoys being together.  But as I said before, my heart is heaviest for Arlene.  It feels CRUEL for her to have to be so alone.  She will have permission to come to the burial tomorrow, but then she'll go back to her apartment alone, and none of us can be there with her.  Please hold her in your prayers.