Born to Croatian immigrants on July 31, 1929. Frank, at an early age, would be lovingly cared for by the Polish nuns of the Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Orphan Home. Reaching adulthood, he would join the U.S. Army and serve as a cook during the Korean Conflict. Upon His return, he would meet Gloria (Stevenson) Cehulik, and she would become his loving wife of 68 years. He would become the devoted father of Frank J. (Pattie) Cehulik Jr., Dennis D. Cehulik, and Terrie A. (Hector) Samtiago. He was a well-respected member of the United Auto Workers Union, where he would provide for his family, working for the General Motors Company for fifty years. One of his greatest joys was that of grandpa to Tabitha A. (Jonas) Wheatley, Joshua F. (Rebecca) Cehulik, Danielle M. (Andreas) Rodriguez, Robert Cehulik, Teresa (Vito) Cacucciolo, Hector (Iris) Santiago; and was doubly blessed with 11 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by many brothers and sisters and is survived by his brother Walter (Joanne) Cehulik and many nieces and nephews.
It is difficult to summarize a life that is rich in years and experience. To think of the incredible change that has taken place over a life of 93 years. Born during the great depression, serving his country at home and abroad, and living a quiet life of hard work and integrity, he would see incredible advancement in technology, medicine, and culture over the span of nearly a century.
Many things can describe our loved ones. He was a bit of a Renaissance man who could do just about anything. Some would describe him as a member of the “greatest generation”; to others, he was a faithful friend, parishioner, co-worker, machinist, and repairman, but in all, he exemplified what it meant to be from the city of “good neighbors.”
He had a vibrant appetite for life, and part of that was an appetite for food. There was always room for seconds, and if there was ice cream (even better). If you were looking for Frank Cehulik Sr., you’d find him having breakfast with his union buddies or doing crossword puzzles on the sofa. If he wasn’t there, he might be watching old movies, listening to his .45s, or playing music on the 8-track while shooting a game of pool with his grandkids. He might be working on an old Chevy Nova or a Chevelle Super Sport with his kids under an engine hoist in the garage. Maybe you would find him at Disney World with his loving wife and family by his side or at the grocery store getting exactly three ripe bananas (because two would not be enough, and four would go bad before he could eat them all).
I imagine that if you were to ask him what he enjoyed being known by the best the names, husband, father, and grandpa. As I offer words of comfort to each one gathered here today, I want to read a portion from the word of God that, as a small child, Frank would have known very well and repeated throughout his life.
Matthew 6:9-13
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.11 Give us this day our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
I want to draw your attention to the opening words of the Lord’s prayer, “Our Father.” In the natural course of life, a Father plays a large role in shaping what God is like for their children. The way a father lives their life profoundly impacts the next generation. Using the Lord’s prayer, I would like to take a few moments and connect how Frank, as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, did this for his family.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” He exemplified this every day for fifty years as he went to work to provide for his family. Though they may not have had everything they wanted, they always had what they needed. With his faithful wife by his side, making his lunches, and seeing him off at all hours of the day and night (depending on his shift). Ensuring that the driveway was clear so he could get the car in – together, they modeled for their children and grandchildren the love of their Heavenly Father who desires to provide for all of those he loves.
“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Generally a man of few words, he always maintained his integrity. He was never one to harbor a grudge. Let a little time pass, and all was settled and forgiven. He was always willing to be generous wherever a legitimate need (or a general want from one of his grandkids) existed. He cared for the needs of his brothers and sisters and his children and grandchildren. He was always generous to his parish until its closing to give back so much that he had received. In doing so, he modeled what our Heavenly Father does for us, harboring no grudge and offering complete forgiveness with no strings attached.
“Deliver us from evil”. He was always there too, if I can phrase it this way, to “bail his family out.” Whether it was due to our silly choices or just general “bad luck”, he would be our safety net with advice and resources to ease the pain of our fall and offer us a little deliverance. In doing this, he modeled how our heavenly Father guides and steers the ship of our lives to keep us away from the rocks of ruin.
Now, it is up to us to do the same for our generation. To model this heritage as a gift to our children and grandchildren. We have heard many beautiful tributes, but there is no greater tribute than a life well-lived.
The final words of the Lord’s prayer include, “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever.” There is an eternal kingdom that is at hand, and for Grandpa, when he took his last breath here on earth, he realized the fullness of that eternal heavenly kingdom.
The word of God declares 2 Corinthians 5:18 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
These are the words of comfort I share with you.
1 Thess 5:13-18
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
A great day is coming when we find comfort that an eternal reunion awaits.
There is something beautiful about the words “Our Father.” Frank Cehulik Sr. is so important to all the people gathered here today because he is “ours.” He isn’t their husband, or their father, or so & so’s grandfather – he is ours.
This is something he modeled for us as well. You see, God was more than someone else’s Father, God was his Father. One day, we will all take our final breath, and the reality of an eternal kingdom awaits.
In closing, these verses encapsulate the message that Grandpa believed, and I’m sure he would want to share it with you today.
John 5:28-29 – Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of judgment.
Acts 24:15 – And I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there is going to be a resurrection,[a] both of the righteous and the unrighteous.
No people on earth knew Grandpa better than the people in this room. We are blessed to have such beautiful and wonderful memories and shared experiences. But just like the people who know you best, none of us are perfect.
One day, there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous, but what makes a person righteous?
Romans 3:10 – As it is written, “there is none righteous” not even one.
But here is what Grandpa believed and what made all the difference.
2 Cor 5:21 – For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
If I could put it this way, there were many times I was with Grandpa, whether out to eat or at the store, that he would pay for something for me. You see, it would be unjust for the server or the cashier to come back to me after Grandpa bought or paid for something on my behalf and require that I pay them again. This is what Jesus had done for us; he has paid for our sins, past, present, and future, and God looks at that and says paid in full.
Here is the great comfort: we get to call God our Father because of what Jesus has done for us. I didn’t have to pay Grandpa money or do many things for him, so he would be my grandpa. He unconditionally loved me, and I was a part of the family because I was his grandchild.
Jesus offers us the opportunity to be part of God’s family and the gift of eternal life, to call him Our Father because he loves us unconditionally.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.”
I close with the words of Jesus from John 11:25 and John 16:22
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Josh Cehulik 