Grandpa "Stub" Veitch, Rest In Peace

My Grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep last night.

Jill & I got arrived in Spencer about 9:00 p.m. last night and although grandpa had been unresponsive since 1:00 p.m. the night before, Jill & I spent some time with him talking to him. Jill and Mom were sitting in with him just before 12:30 when his breathing changed and Jill recognized it as a final stage so they called us all into the room. He was surrounded by his sister, daughter, two sons in law and Jill & I. I prayed with the family that God would welcome him home and that he would join his two wives, daughter and brother who had gone on before him. Before we were done praying he was gone.

Grandpa enjoyed his last meal Thursday evening. Mom was sitting with him and asked him if he would like a chocolate shake. He did not respond so Mom just sat with him. A half hour later Grandpa Stub asked if Joe was back with that shake yet. Mom said "Not quite yet" and quickly sent Uncle Joe to McDonalds for that chocolate shake. Mom had to spoon feed the shake to Grandpa and he joked that he had feed her that when when she was a child. Grandpa kept saying that the shake was "So Good". He asked "How did you know I wanted a chocolate shake?" Mom said, " Dad I know you. Every time we went to McDonalds you got a chocolate shake". As a memorial many of the family members went out for chocolate shakes the day after the funeral.

Grandpa had some unresolved family strife that in the weeks before his death both he and the other folks involved made moves to resolve the problem. One of the last things he said was to ask mom to tell them that he loved them. After a long pause he added "And Buddy too, their cat". He said that he didn't want to die mad at anyone. Stub got his name because he was quite short, but it might as well have been because he was stubborn. If he could forgive and put the situation behind him we all can. Some other family members still may have some issues but Grandpa forgave so everyone else needs to as well. I hope that this is the first step to reconciliation.

The last time that he spoke he told my mother that he could see lots of people. When she asked him who he was seeing he listed his daughter, parents, wives and others who have already passed away. She asked him if he was dreaming. He said that he was not. I know that he is now in heaven in the Lord's presence enjoying the company of these family members. After mentioning the family members that he was seeing he started reciting the Lord's Prayer. He would take long pauses and Mom would consider giving him the next word but he made it all of the way through. When he was done praying he told Mom that he loved her. She told him she loved him. He fell into a deep sleep and never spoke again. He died almost exactly 24 hours later.

He fought this cancer for a long time, but miraculously he was only sick for a week. I thank God that he had a full life until the end and that he did not have to suffer. He did not have to resort to heavy medications for pain relief and was able to stay in his home until the end. On the Saturday prior to his death he was able to enjoy a picnic with his car club and talk with many friends. His health started taking a steep decline on Monday. He could have really suffered with the bone cancer but God was merciful and he did not have to go though that.

Please pray with me in thanking the Lord for this wonderful man who was my beloved grandfather. He will be missed so also pray for our family as we get through this coming week and as we adjust to our lives without him.