Earl “Bud” Bodenhorn. Age 85 of Waterford. July 16, 2009. Beloved husband of Jacqueline; dear father of Susan (Robert) Taylor, Carol (Meredith) Hughes, Barbara (James) Cockrell, Janice Arnold, Ken (Lucia) Bodenhorn and David Bodenhorn. Proud grandfather of Scott Taylor, Stacey Taylor, Erin Hughes, Krista.Hughes, Jennifer Cockrell, Carolyn Van Pelt, Christie Arnold, Mia Bodenhorn and Ian Bodenhorn: great-grandfather of Tyler Van Pelt. Brother of Glen, Eileen Tom (Dorothy) Bodenhorn Bud a WWII and Korean War Veteran retired from the Detroit Fire Department after 38 Years of service. A supporter of the St. Vincent De Paul Society and devoted family man he especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandson. Funeral Mass 11 am Monday St Perpetua Catholic Church, Waterford (in-state 10:30). Friends may visit Sunday 2-5 and 6-8 pm with a scripture service at 4 pm at Pixley Funeral Home Godhardt-Tomlinson Chapel Keego Harbor (248) 682-0200
Memorials suggested to Mercy Hospice or St. Vincent De Paul Society of St. Perpetua Catholic Church
Our Dad
Eulogy of Earl ‘Bud’ Bodenhorn
September 11, 1923 – July 16, 2009
Good afternoon:
Thank you all for coming to pay your respects to our father and to mourn the loss of another individual from what is considered the ‘greatest generation’.
I will be forever grateful and am truly blessed that my kids got to know and love their grandfather and that they could feel his love in return. When I broke the news of dad’s passing to my six year old daughter the morning that he died, her response was that she would most miss all the times he got on all four’s (to my mom’s consternation!!), pretending to be a rabid dog, and chasing her and her brother around the house. He never seemed to tire of the game. My kids still love to play chase although Grandma now fulfills that role - albeit not to level of exuberance that my dad displayed!! – that’s okay Mom, you need to take it easy.
Early in my dad’s youth he often told the tale of working at a creamery in the neighborhood he grew up in. It must have been this short employment stint where he grew his sweet tooth and developed his strong penchant for ice cream!! He found himself in the food business again later in life when, like many fire-fighters, he had to take on a second job. He worked as a food salesman working for Jack Miller, a former neighbor, selling Rich brand dairy and frozen dessert products to restaurants. I remember he would leave in the morning in a white shirt and tie and arrive home in late afternoon. He remarked once that he didn’t like that job because he believed he wasn’t a very good salesman – he claimed he never knew what to say to his customers. Judging by the number of frozen éclairs stuffed into our freezer during my youth, I suspect his largest account was his own household!!
In an age when the word ‘hero’ is often misdirected and overused, I suppose one could make the argument it could be applied next to my dad’s name. He bravely served his country in WWII as a twenty year old, flying missions in a B-24 and serving the role of a gunner, spotting enemy planes and directing gunfire in their paths. I’m not certain he ever discussed, or knew, how many enemy planes he and his crew shot down, but their success was obvious in that most of the crew members eventually came home - alive. In what turned out to be his final mission, shrapnel from enemy sources took out the engines of the Leakin’ Deacon, the name of my dad’s plane, forcing my dad and crew members to abandon the plane before it crashed. What made their parachute jump extraordinary was the extremely low altitude at which they disembarked; my dad recalled a women waving to them from a window of a tall building as they flew by. All crew members survived the jump, except for one. The few times my dad talked about this fateful day, he would get emotional - 60-plus years later - over this crew member’s untimely demise. That parachute jump over Italy led to his capture a brief time later, despite his best efforts to avoid being caught. He was turned over to the German forces and quickly found himself against a wall facing execution from a firing squad. If not for the fortuitous arrival of a Senior German officer arriving at the scene and staying the execution, the family tree would have looked much different. For the next eleven months he remained a prisoner-of-war.
My father spent 38-years on the Detroit Fire Department, driving the rig, and connecting hoses to the hydrants. He spent the majority of his career at Engine 4 on Bagley near Mexican Town. The last several years of his fire-fighting career were spent at the 1-person crash response station at Detroit City Airport. He was fortunate to have this position at the airport in the twilight years of his career because, to my knowledge, he never had to respond to a call. The city finally forced him to retire at the age of 62.
After his retirement from the fire department he sought employment to keep ahead of the expenses. He worked a variety of jobs that included security for the Greenfield Village. Later, he worked in the mailroom of the construction company Barton-Malow. It’s stressful enough starting new employment, but I imagine particularly so for someone in their mid-sixties. But he made the most of it and found the job not only rewarding, but he quickly developed a camaraderie with his colleagues, many of them half his age, by becoming involved in the social activities of the company. I remember him on occasion attending the company softball games and then gravitating to the bar with the team afterwards for a bite and a drink.
In 1954, my mom and dad purchased a small bungalow in Detroit where they raised their six children. He, himself, finished off the attic to accommodate their growing family, adding two bedrooms, with built in bookcases, beds and dressers and he constructed a one and a half car garage. He also finished the basement. Unfortunately, dad didn’t always find the time to complete his home-improvement projects. Several of the projects he started remained - not quite finished - when the house was sold 35 years later. In fact, the hardware that he purchased, but never installed for the built in cabinets he made, I used in my first house I renovated. However, his craftsmanship and eye for detail were truly top-notch – skills I wish I had inherited, though I do have the genes that have been identified to cause home improvement projects to remain unfinished!! I remember the car that he carved out of balsa wood at the kitchen table for my Cub Scout pinewood derby race. It looked like a scaled down replica of a 1920’s open-wheeled race car. We didn’t win the race but that wooden car was really something to look at.
Dad had a very compassionate heart, a desire to care for others and a strong sense of charity. Over the years, he was quite active with St. Vincent De Paul and provided meals to the elderly with Meals On Wheels. He was heavily involved in our church, St. Gerard, where he volunteered his time to the Parish Council, worked at Bingo, and volunteered at the church’s food and paper drives. Interestingly enough, it was only a few years ago that he decided to become baptized into the Catholic faith.
I think I can speak for all my siblings when I say this family has been extremely blessed and fortunate to have had the privilege of participating in his caretaking and comfort over the past 14 or so months. The experience gave all of us the opportunity to spend more time with dad than we probably would have otherwise. We are truly blessed, because even though his health had been failing the past few years, he seemingly died on his own terms and with grace and dignity – in bed, at home, with his wife of 60-years whom he loved so much.
To the very end, he managed with some degree of difficulty to maintain his mobility, getting out of bed each and every day and trying to lead as normal a life, mostly within the confines of his home, as his failing health allowed him to. And not once did he ever complain about his circumstances. Dad was very independent - or you could say stubborn!! - and was typically uncomfortable accepting the help of others. However, in his time of true need, he put aside his inhibitions and graciously accepted his caregiver’s aid. What could have been a stressful and difficult 11-month hospice experience for the entire family was made vastly more pleasant as he accepted his role as the patient. It was only on a couple of occasions he got disagreeable, cranky and downright malicious to his children. But it was symptomatic of the disease and not his being. Two more doses of Ativan in his ice cream though, usually settled him down!!
In the 14-months that my family aided dad in his last courageous battle, I learned that the courage and sense of honor my dad displayed is in each and every one of my siblings. I have a new and stronger respect and appreciation for each of them, and their spouses, for the time and effort they gave in helping my mom through this difficult ordeal.
Thank you, Dad, for setting an amazing example in so many ways. You lived well…You fought the good battle and…You will be sorely missed.
(Ken Bodenhorn, son, prepared and delivered this Eulogy for Bud during the viewing hours at the funeral home on July 19, 2009)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me –
When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see.
If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry, the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things we never got to say.
I know how much you love me, as much as I love you.
And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand.
An angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,
It seemed my place was ready - In Heaven far above,
and that I'd have to leave behind, those things I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye.
For all of life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for, so much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad.
I thought of all the love we shared, and how much fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while,
I'd say goodbye, then kiss you ‘til I saw that special smile.
But then I fully realized, that it could never be,
'Cause emptiness and memories, would take the place of me.
And when I thought of all those things, I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through Heaven's gates, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, From his great & golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you.
Today your life on Earth is past, but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,
and since each day is the same day, there's no longing for the past.
But you have been so faithful, so trusting and so true,
Though there were some times you did some things you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven, and now at last you're free,
So come and take me by the hand, and share my life with me.
So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me, I'll be right there - in your Heart.
(Poem read by Meredith Hughes, son-in-law, during the viewing hours at the funeral home on July 19, 2009)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Psalm 112
1 Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.
2 His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. [c]
5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.
7 He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn [d] will be lifted high in honor.
(Erin Hughes, granddaughter, read this scripture during the funeral service on July 20)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Corinthians 5
Our Heavenly Dwelling
1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
7 We live by faith, not by sight.
8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
(Carol Hughes, daughter, read this scripture during the funeral service on July 20)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I’m Free –
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free;
I’m following the path that God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that place at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss; some chocolate
Yes, these things, I too, will miss.
Be not burned with times of sorrow;
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been very full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, ice cream, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me;
God wanted me now, He set me free and I am very proud.
(Sue Taylor, daughter, read this poem during the funeral service on July 20)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celebrating the Life of “Bud”
Funeral Liturgy
Father Richard Rakoczy
Prelude
Ave Maria – Christa Grix, Niece (harp)
Entrance Song
On Eagle’s Wings – Congregation (# 598)
Liturgy of the Word
Psalm 112: 1-9
Erin Hughes, Granddaughter
Responsorial Psalm
2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10
Carol Hughes, Daughter
Gospel: Matthew 25: 31-40
Father Richard Rakoczy
Homily
Prayers of the Faithful
Preparation of the Gifts
Amazing Grace – Congregation (# 615)
Presentation of the Gifts
Grandchildren of Bud
Eucharistic Prayer
Communion Hymn
Just a Closer Walk with Thee – Congregation
Post Communion
Moonlight on Snow – Christa Grix, Niece (harp)
Concluding Hymn
How Great Thou Art – Congregation (# 665)
Reading
I’m Free – Sue Taylor, Daughter
Rite of Final Farewell and Commendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A heartfelt thank you for all the love and support extended to Bud and his family. Your encouragement through prayers, calls, and cards is sincerely appreciated.
A special thank you to family and friends for the wonderful meals and the many hours you so selflessly spent with Bud to provide support and relief to Jackie. We are so grateful for your time and thoughtfulness.
Bud was so blessed to have you in his life.
Bud’s Family
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God looked around His garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put His arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered “Peace be Thine.”
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18