My Friday Plans

Today I am only working half a day (yeah for getting off of work early!). No, I'm not leaving work just to get a jump start on my weekend. I am actually going to attend a funeral for a wonderful man from my church. He was the daddy of my sweet Vienna friend, Missy. He was also my Sunday School teacher all through my college years & the guy who wrangled naughty children during Children's Church. When I was little I was a bit terrified of Arv; when I grew up I realized how ridiculous that was. He could make you obey, but he was the definition of sweetness & kindness.

I have an Arv story that I just love to tell. Since his passing I think I've made Mike listen to this story every day. It was the 4th of July several years ago. Justin & Cody & I all went to the lake where several families from our church were having a picnic. Arv was there with his wonderful wife Wilma, Missy was there & a couple of the other kids with their families. We were playing a silly little game of woofle ball. I was wearing flip flops & they were seriously hampering my running efforts so I kicked them off. Immediately the warnings about stepping on a bee flew at me from all directions. I shrugged everybody off b/c surely that wasn't going to happen! Well, what do you know, right as we were ending the game I stepped right on top of a bee & it GOT ME! I don't think a sting has ever hurt so much. Of course, I felt like I couldn't tell anybody b/c then I would get the 'we told you so' lecture & my pride just didn't want to hear it. I walked over & sat at a table by Arv & he must have seen something in my face b/c he asked me what was wrong. I leaned over & told him I had gotten stung. He totally understood why I didn't want to announce it & he snuck over to the cooler & got me some ice without anyone noticing. He was already one of my favorite people but that day he was right at the top of my list!

I'm sad that Arv is gone & we won't enjoy any more visits in the Shaklee room of their house. But I'm rejoicing that he is no longer in pain or confused. I am fully confident that he is now with the Lord.

Below I have posted his obituary. I am blessed to consider all of Arv & Wilma's children my friends & you can see in the words below how much they respected & enjoyed their daddy.

Arvin LeRoy Workman, an emeritus professor of communication at Indiana State University, went to be with the Lord Sunday, June 7, 2009, in Asheville, N.C. Born in Pierson, Mich., on March 28, 1931, he was 78 years old. He attended high school in Terre Haute and graduated from Gerstmeyer Tech (1949), where he lettered in track and football. He earned an undergraduate degree from Indiana State University, and again lettered in football. After obtaining a doctorate at Michigan State University, he taught for 26 years at Indiana State University. He retired as director of Television Services. A captain in the Naval Reserves, Arvin was called to active duty during the Korean War. He retired from the Navy after 36 years and, while never able to swim, was fond of saying "nobody can swim a thousand miles." Arvin served the First Baptist Church of West Terre Haute as a deacon, superintendent, Sunday school teacher, and treasurer. He deeply loved his family and modeled a dedicated work ethic, godly character, and unconditional love. His passions included designing elaborate treasure hunts, writing poetry and stories, and taking road trips to see friends and family. Arvin's unique trademark with his children and grandchildren was the gift of two-dollar bills. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Wilma; his son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Lisa Workman of Chandler, Ariz.; his daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Kevin Martin of Asheville, N.C.; his daughter and son-in-law, Jenny and Ron Pitcock of Fort Worth, Texas; and his daughter and son-in-law, Missy and Kai Soltau of Vienna, Austria. He loved his 12 grandchildren, Christine, Levi, Joshua, Sawyer, Keegan, Graedon, McCade, Delaney, Finley, Madeline, Henry, and Eliza. He also is survived by two sisters, Joycelyn Workman of Aurora, Colo., and Marlette Randall of Monroe, Mich.