On Saturday September 20, we were awakened around 5:45AM to a ringing phone. It was Carrie's family calling to say that her father was in the hospital and things were not looking good. As the news was sinking in, we received a call around 6:15 saying that he had passed away. It was quite shocking. He was seemingly healthy and active; and only 60 years old. This was the statement from the family:
On Saturday morning, September 20, Dad woke up around 4:00 AM feeling weak, dizzy, and short of breath. Mom and Josh called the ambulance which took Dad to Dublin Methodist Hospital. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, Dad went into cardiac arrest and was not able to breathe on his own or sustain his pulse. The doctors worked on him for over 2 hours, doing all they could to revive him. Soon after 7:00, Dad passed into eternity.
(Below is the obituary as well as a link to watch the funeral service)
Side note: 7AM in Ohio is 6AM in Jamaica. Jamaica does not change for daylight savings time, so in the winter, we will be same as Eastern Time.
We quickly started making plans to leave for Ohio. We tried to call a travel agent but it was too early on a Saturday morning. I went online and found 6 tickets for 3:30PM that day for a reasonable price so we bought them. We made arrangements here for our absence and left for the airport around 1PM. It is such a blessing to have Floyd and Ellen here. We were able to leave at such short notice and knew that things here would be taken care of. It also speaks to the team of staff we have here as well.
We had 2+ hours in Atlanta, so we had a good American dinner.
Around 12:30AM Sunday morning, we arrived back at the farmhouse we vacated just 2 months ago. Never did we dream that we would be back so soon.
The next few days were a blur of family, friends, visitation, funeral, tears, and hugs.
The funeral was on Tuesday. We spent some time singing in the evening after the funeral. We had precious family time the rest of the week. It was simply amazing how the community supported us not only emotionally, but also physically with food, gifts, and anything we needed (even a few things we didn't need-like doughnuts).
The weather was absolutely perfect all week, and we spent a lot of time outside.
Der Dutchman hosted the family one evening for dinner.
It was a hard week, but it was a week filled with family memories that we will always remember. It was hard to say goodbye again, but early Sunday morning (Sept. 28), we were at the airport again.
A failed selfie during our layover in Orlando.
We arrived home in time for a late lunch. We walked into our house to this display.
Although it has been hard, we realize how many friends we are blessed with. We know that God's grace is sufficient, even when it doesn't seem like it. You have all been so caring and supportive of us! Within 2 days of us being in Ohio, our airline tickets were covered - Thank you so much! It did feel like we were coming home when we walked into the house here in Jamaica. The first week felt like we were starting over here in some ways, but we made it through. We really appreciate all the cards, notes, prayers, gifts, food, and support you have poured out to us over the past few weeks. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we grieve and heal.
God bless!
Kevin
OBITUARY
MARK O. GINGERICH, age 60 of Plain City, OH and more recently residing in Manassas, VA, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 20, 2014. Mark was born January 23, 1954 to Verna Gingerich and the late Ora J. Gingerich. He was married for 37 years to Rhoda (Yoder) Gingerich. Mark and Rhoda served with Choice Books in Virginia for the past two years. Mark had a wide diversity of interests and things he enjoyed, including farming, history, helping and serving others, socializing with people, following sports, cracking jokes and line-liners, holding his grandchildren, giving bear hugs and singing a song for any occasion. In addition to his wife and mother, Mark is survived by seven children: Eric (Monica) Gingerich and children Justin, Angel, MaKayla and Lailaa of Plain City; Emily (Phil) Mast and children Sandra, Sara, Ariana and Taiten of Manassas, VA; Carrie (Kevin) Stutzman and children, Sierra, Jasmine, Chloe, Olivia and Emma of Montego Bay, Jamaica; Marcus (Andrea) Gingerich and son Bennett of Plain City; Zachary (Allison) Gingerich of Plain City; Joshua Gingerich of Plain City; Audrey Gingerich of Manassas, VA. He is also survived by three brothers, Paul, Marvin and Sam (Kathy) and four sisters, Emma (Monroe) Miller, Betty (Mark) Hostetler, Becky (Ron) Headings, and Veronica (Randy) Mast.
Link to watch the funeral service: http://havenfellowship.sermon.net/sermons/main/20196251
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