In Loving Memory of Gene McRill

Today is the first day of autumn. I noticed a few trees losing their leaves yesterday as we took a walk after church. It was another beautiful day-without rain. Farmers are busy harvesting already. The corn is brown and dry. I feel sad. Not because summer is coming to an end but because another member of our family is gone. Today is my brother-in-law's funeral - the day after my sister's birthday. She spent her birthday at her husband's visitation.

Gene McRill was such a good man. He made us laugh until we cried. Even in his wheelchair near the end he would sit, looking like he was asleep, listening to us talk. As the conversation continued he would suddenly insert one of his witty comments or a snippet of Scripture that would surprise us and make us laugh. I loved that about Gene and I will miss that the most.

Gene gave the best prayers, even on the spur of the moment he would pray heartfelt prayers to his friend Jesus. He was faith-filled and he loved his church. He was broken-hearted when the Albion Methodist Church closed and was later razed. He taught Sunday school, served on the board, and sang beautifully. He was "the church" to many.

Gene was dating my sister Burneta around the time I was born. I was told more than once that my colicky cries interrupted their courting. However, they married on October 21, 1956, and were married for 68 years! Together they raised four wonderful children, and had four grandsons, and four great-grandchildren. Gene worked on the family farm, at the local grain elevator, then joined his mother in the insurance business. He spent nearly 50 years with Iowa Valley Mutual Insurance. 

Gene served others through his church and Albion's organizations. He treated his insurance customers with respect and compassion. He remained a farmer at heart and one special moment was when his family restored and presented him his favorite red tractor. He loved to golf and spent many hours of his retirement on the South Hardin Golf Course in Union. At 94 Gene was ready, even anxious, to see God.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39 NIV).