A R C H I V E S
Thanks
for
visiting.
An Email from
Aunt Betty and
Uncle Jack. . .
Robert
Seitz:
A Going-Home Celebration
2.28.01
Dear
Family,
Some of you were unable to come to our brother and uncle Bob Seitz's Celebration, so I will try to fill you in on these memorable days just past. Alma and Clarence's plane from Chicago came in at 1:10 pm Sunday, February 25. John (Jack) and I met the plane and brought them to Art's where they rested a bit. Then they, Art, and John and I drove to Tobias Funeral Home on Watervaliet Avenue in Dayton. Bob looked handsome, and 20 years younger than he had looked in the hospital. I learned that the rosary he was holding had at one time belonged to Grandma Seitz. There was a beautiful spray of deep red, velvety roses from Aunt Buff, Sharon, Dave, Mick, Becky, Paula, Chris, and Joe and their families. Also in the casket was a touching letter written in fine penmanship from one of the granddaughters, telling their Grandpa how much they loved him for being a wonderful grandfather and friend, and were going to miss him. On a table there was an appropriate display of photographs of Bob and Buff, and their families. There were many other lovely plants and baskets of flowers.
A lot of the family had come before we got there. But we were able to see many of the relatives and friends, including many folks from Mercer County whom John knew better than I did, and whom he had not seen for a great whil.. Five of Aunt Buff's sisters were there with their families. And Uncle Bob's brothers and sisters, Alma, Si, Art and John also were there. Then his sister, Jinny, with Joan and Jeanne and little Clete arrived from a three-hour trip from their homes in central Kentucky, and we were all glad to see them. Only sister, Esther who is not well, was unable to come. We will all keep Esther and her family in our thoughts and prayers. The time went rapidly, and soon we were leaving for a bite to eat, then home for a quiet evening.
The Mass of Christian Burial was at Immaculate Conception Church, a large and very beautiful place of worship. The Eucharistic Celebration was conducted by the pastor, Fr. Tony Geraci. The readings were from IICor.5:1, 6-10 and Jn 14:1-6. God came down to all of us there and touched Buff and each of Bob and Buff's family, with a special Grace.
Bob and Buff can certainly be proud of their family of seven who in my mind are really intelligent, friendly, warm, and caring children who love and respect their parents very much. Every one of them was at Kettering Hospital, along with some of their family members, to give love and support to their parents when it was greatly needed. Buff, like Ruth in the Bible, is one good and faithful wife who stuck by the Love of Her Heart despite any pain or weariness she might have felt. Those last days were very hard for her, as Bob gently made his Journey from this world to the Next. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery close to graves of some of the family.
We went back to Immaculate Conception Church where we found a luscious, hot dinner awaiting us. It will not surprise you to know that after an enjoyable meal and much spirited conversation, the six Bernard sisters and a few other women, had a royal song fest in Bob's honor.
May this good man rest in the Hands of the Father forever, and may we all be together one day in Perfect Happiness.
Sincerely,
Betty and Jack
