Thursday
Memorial Contributions
Thanks to all who have prayed for, comforted, helped, and grieved with the family during this time. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to support the ministry of Cedar Campus, in memory of Paul Foster. Checks should be made payable to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, PO Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895.
Wednesday
Paul Michael Foster, Obituary
Paul Michael Foster, 63, of Onekama, formerly of Cedarville, passed away unexpectedly on May 13, 2010, as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born November 23, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, the son of Dragan “Dan” and Anne (Evosevic) Foster.
Wherever he went, Paul was sacrificially generous with his time, money and energy. He taught, mentored, served, and encouraged others. He was a natural teacher, both in and out of the classroom. As one friend reflected, “I don't know how much I've learned from Paul, but I know it's a lot…the in-the-trenches-alongside-me wisdom that changes me without my realizing I'm being changed.”
During the Vietnam War, Paul served his country for two years of alternative service in Detroit where he met Elaine. They returned to California to complete his Industrial Arts degree. Answering God’s call to full-time ministry, Paul joined InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) staff in the Seattle area. After a few years, he returned to California to finish his teaching certificate and began teaching small engine repair and woodshop at Reedley High School. In 1980, the family was invited to move to Cedarville, Michigan, for Paul to serve as general manager of Cedar Campus, an IVCF training facility. He became a member of First Union Church, serving as an elder and teacher for many years. In 2000, Paul and Elaine moved to Onekama, where he taught computer maintenance and repair at Manistee ISD. For the past three years, Paul taught woodshop and managed the yearbook at Onekama High School. He had a servant attitude and helped others gain confidence by trusting them with important work and believing they could rise to the challenge.
On June 15, 1969, at the Onekama Church of the Brethren, Paul married Elaine Deal who survives him. He is also survived by: four children, Sarah (Jon) Wiedyk of Lowell, Daniel (Rachel) Foster of Mason, Elizabeth (Michael) Herrick of Eaton Rapids, and David (Erin) Foster of Chicago, Illinois; six grandchildren, Karis, Esther, Alethea, and Adam Foster, Nathaniel Wiedyk, and Stella Foster; a granddaughter on the way, Eva Foster; two sisters, Martha (Dave) Karnell of Denver, Colorado, and Donna (Gary Isaacson) Randle of Queen Creek, Arizona; his mother-in-law, Frances T. Deal of Onekama; a brother-in-law, Loren Deal of Drummond Island; two sisters-in-law, Virginia (Kendall) Dykhuis of Hibbing, Minnesota, and Nancy (Michael) Cichy of Manistee; and many other relatives and friends.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Daniel Deal.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 22, 2010, at the Onekama High School auditorium. Interment will take place in the Onekama Village Cemetery in Onekama. Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM, Friday, May 21, 2010, at the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva.
Thanks to all who have prayed for, comforted, helped, and grieved with the family during this time. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to support the ministry of Cedar Campus, in memory of Paul Foster. Checks should be made payable to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, PO Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895. You are also invited to leave a remembrance of Paul at the family memorial page: http://paulfostermemorial.blogspot.com
The Terwilliger Funeral Home, in Kaleva, is in charge of arrangements.
www.terwilligerfuneralhome.com
Wherever he went, Paul was sacrificially generous with his time, money and energy. He taught, mentored, served, and encouraged others. He was a natural teacher, both in and out of the classroom. As one friend reflected, “I don't know how much I've learned from Paul, but I know it's a lot…the in-the-trenches-alongside-me wisdom that changes me without my realizing I'm being changed.”
During the Vietnam War, Paul served his country for two years of alternative service in Detroit where he met Elaine. They returned to California to complete his Industrial Arts degree. Answering God’s call to full-time ministry, Paul joined InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) staff in the Seattle area. After a few years, he returned to California to finish his teaching certificate and began teaching small engine repair and woodshop at Reedley High School. In 1980, the family was invited to move to Cedarville, Michigan, for Paul to serve as general manager of Cedar Campus, an IVCF training facility. He became a member of First Union Church, serving as an elder and teacher for many years. In 2000, Paul and Elaine moved to Onekama, where he taught computer maintenance and repair at Manistee ISD. For the past three years, Paul taught woodshop and managed the yearbook at Onekama High School. He had a servant attitude and helped others gain confidence by trusting them with important work and believing they could rise to the challenge.
On June 15, 1969, at the Onekama Church of the Brethren, Paul married Elaine Deal who survives him. He is also survived by: four children, Sarah (Jon) Wiedyk of Lowell, Daniel (Rachel) Foster of Mason, Elizabeth (Michael) Herrick of Eaton Rapids, and David (Erin) Foster of Chicago, Illinois; six grandchildren, Karis, Esther, Alethea, and Adam Foster, Nathaniel Wiedyk, and Stella Foster; a granddaughter on the way, Eva Foster; two sisters, Martha (Dave) Karnell of Denver, Colorado, and Donna (Gary Isaacson) Randle of Queen Creek, Arizona; his mother-in-law, Frances T. Deal of Onekama; a brother-in-law, Loren Deal of Drummond Island; two sisters-in-law, Virginia (Kendall) Dykhuis of Hibbing, Minnesota, and Nancy (Michael) Cichy of Manistee; and many other relatives and friends.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Daniel Deal.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 22, 2010, at the Onekama High School auditorium. Interment will take place in the Onekama Village Cemetery in Onekama. Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM, Friday, May 21, 2010, at the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva.
Thanks to all who have prayed for, comforted, helped, and grieved with the family during this time. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to support the ministry of Cedar Campus, in memory of Paul Foster. Checks should be made payable to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, PO Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895. You are also invited to leave a remembrance of Paul at the family memorial page: http://paulfostermemorial.blogspot.com
The Terwilliger Funeral Home, in Kaleva, is in charge of arrangements.
www.terwilligerfuneralhome.com
Sunday
Praying
We know so many of you are praying and have even asked how you can pray. Here is a running list of things on our minds that we would love to have covered in prayer!
--The family would like to contact the other drivers involved in the accident to communicate the hope we have for our dad/husband in order that they would be free from guilt or condemnation. Please pray for the grace and discernment in doing that.
--Dave and his wife are expecting their second daughter any time now. Please pray for God's perfect timing in the arrival of baby Eva.
--Pray for insight and wisdom in the ongoing planning of the funeral, continued care for Elaine once she gets home and the many other things of which we are both aware and unaware.
--Please pray that we would grieve well. It still seems so unreal. Pray for the days and weeks and months that are to come.
--Paul's life told the Gospel story in all that he did. Pray that the Gospel would be clearly communicated and heard at the service celebrating his life -- he would want it no other way!
--Paul met so many needs in his family, his community, his church and his work. Pray that the holes being left by his home-going will be filled.
--Pray for a complete physical and mental healing for Elaine.
--There will be many legal, financial and insurance arrangements and rearrangements. Please pray for peace, wisdom and provision in all those things.
--The family would like to contact the other drivers involved in the accident to communicate the hope we have for our dad/husband in order that they would be free from guilt or condemnation. Please pray for the grace and discernment in doing that.
--Dave and his wife are expecting their second daughter any time now. Please pray for God's perfect timing in the arrival of baby Eva.
--Pray for insight and wisdom in the ongoing planning of the funeral, continued care for Elaine once she gets home and the many other things of which we are both aware and unaware.
--Please pray that we would grieve well. It still seems so unreal. Pray for the days and weeks and months that are to come.
--Paul's life told the Gospel story in all that he did. Pray that the Gospel would be clearly communicated and heard at the service celebrating his life -- he would want it no other way!
--Paul met so many needs in his family, his community, his church and his work. Pray that the holes being left by his home-going will be filled.
--Pray for a complete physical and mental healing for Elaine.
--There will be many legal, financial and insurance arrangements and rearrangements. Please pray for peace, wisdom and provision in all those things.
Elaine's Progress
Today, Tuesday. May 25, 2010: Mom had a follow up appointment with the trauma doctor yesterday. She took out the staples in Mom's leg and said the open wounds, bumps, bruises, and rib fractures are healing well. She continues to gain strength and think more clearly each day. Consequently, she is also able to do more and more for herself each day and is even sleeping back in her own room upstairs. She has even enjoyed two trips to Lake Michigan. Unfortunately, her dizziness is persisting (although improving somewhat). At this point, two of us kids (and families) are able to be with her. Mom is finding the grandchildren to be therapy for her soul. But starting next week, we need to return to our life obligations. Please pray that we will have wisdom to know how best to meet her needs in the weeks and months ahead.
Sunday: Thank you to everyone that joined us on Saturday - what a celebration of Paul's life! We were all blown away by your very presence, thank you! Elaine's recovery continues...her leg was quite swollen after the long day yesterday, so making sure she rests and keeps her leg up is top priority for her internal and external wounds to heal. She also continues to be quite dizzy upon moving too fast or simply looking down, her vision also has been blurry so please continue to pray for healing in these areas.
Tuesday: Elaine had a good night sleep in her own home! She has a major wound on her left leg which has been stapled shut but started looking a bit infected today. God made a way and we were able to run her to the doctor last minute and have her seen. The doctor prescribed her some antibiotics but wasn't too concerned so she should be just fine.
Monday Night: We are home. The drive was very good and she even sat outside with Granny Franny for a bit. As you can imagine there are so many questions, conversations, what-ifs, to-dos, etc. Please pray for peace - a supernatural rest for body and mind so she can heal, mourn and feel provided for.
Monday Morning: Even better news! We're taking mom home today! Xrays were taken on her leg and there is no break, just lots of bruises and some pain. She continues to be dizzy when looking down and to the sides but has gotten up to walk several times and taken a shower. All the medical powers that be are encouraged by her progress and say they expect that progress to continue. Please pray for her head injury to be completely healed and the new pains that are showing up (now that the shock has worn off) to be manageable and temporary!
Sunday Evening: Great news, this evening with her sisters Nancy and Ginny, Mom got out of bed and walked to the door! Thank you for your prayers!
Sunday: Today was a better day! She was able to finally sit up without getting too dizzy or being in too much pain. She sat on the edge of the bed for awhile -- great progress! She is not going home tomorrow as hoped, but progress in her physical health is very encouraging. Continue to pray for complete healing and wisdom for doctors in their monitoring of her.
Saturday: Sitting up is the goal, but she continues to be very dizzy on each attempt.
Sunday: Thank you to everyone that joined us on Saturday - what a celebration of Paul's life! We were all blown away by your very presence, thank you! Elaine's recovery continues...her leg was quite swollen after the long day yesterday, so making sure she rests and keeps her leg up is top priority for her internal and external wounds to heal. She also continues to be quite dizzy upon moving too fast or simply looking down, her vision also has been blurry so please continue to pray for healing in these areas.
Tuesday: Elaine had a good night sleep in her own home! She has a major wound on her left leg which has been stapled shut but started looking a bit infected today. God made a way and we were able to run her to the doctor last minute and have her seen. The doctor prescribed her some antibiotics but wasn't too concerned so she should be just fine.
Monday Night: We are home. The drive was very good and she even sat outside with Granny Franny for a bit. As you can imagine there are so many questions, conversations, what-ifs, to-dos, etc. Please pray for peace - a supernatural rest for body and mind so she can heal, mourn and feel provided for.
Monday Morning: Even better news! We're taking mom home today! Xrays were taken on her leg and there is no break, just lots of bruises and some pain. She continues to be dizzy when looking down and to the sides but has gotten up to walk several times and taken a shower. All the medical powers that be are encouraged by her progress and say they expect that progress to continue. Please pray for her head injury to be completely healed and the new pains that are showing up (now that the shock has worn off) to be manageable and temporary!
Sunday Evening: Great news, this evening with her sisters Nancy and Ginny, Mom got out of bed and walked to the door! Thank you for your prayers!
Sunday: Today was a better day! She was able to finally sit up without getting too dizzy or being in too much pain. She sat on the edge of the bed for awhile -- great progress! She is not going home tomorrow as hoped, but progress in her physical health is very encouraging. Continue to pray for complete healing and wisdom for doctors in their monitoring of her.
Saturday: Sitting up is the goal, but she continues to be very dizzy on each attempt.
Friday
The Story of What Happened...
On Thursday afternoon, Paul and Elaine were returning from Traverse City, MI. Elaine stopped the car at an intersection on US 31 waiting for the car in front of her to turn left. The car behind didn’t see them stopped and in trying to avoid them at the last minute, clipped their bumper pushing them into oncoming traffic. A car hit the passenger side (where Paul was snoozing) at full speed. They were both taken by ambulance to Munson Hospital in Traverse City but Paul had already gone to be with Jesus by the time they arrived. Elaine was treated in the ER and moved to the ICU for internal injuries including broken ribs and a lacerated liver. She is in stable condition and is planning to be moved to a regular room on Saturday, possibly returning home on Monday.
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