Fairmount Honors Those Who Died Due To COVID-19
At 6 p.m. on May 12, the temperature was pleasant, and the weather was fair. Jerry Lyle, president at Fairmount, could not help but remark on the evening as he addressed more than 25 others who had gathered on the top of the hill where the Ephrata retirement home is located. "What a beautiful evening we have as we look over the valley," said Lyle, before thanking the friends and family of residents who had passed due to COVID-19 for joining him for a brief service in honor of those residents.
In his opening remarks, Lyle referenced springtime as a season of optimism and hope, noting, "As Christians, we live our lives centered on hope. We are reminded that God is faithful even in days of uncertainty," he said. Specifically addressing relatives of those who had passed, he said, "This evening, we remember each resident. They were fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, and truly loved by all of us." Before leading the Lord's Prayer, Lyle pointed out the new redbud tree donated to Fairmount by Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health in memory of the residents who succumbed to COVID-19.
Chaplain Eugene Weaver also spoke, specifically sharing Scripture verses that he noted had been especially meaningful to many Fairmount patients. "It is the love of God that has helped us through the pandemic and is carrying us to our eternal home," he said, adding that Psalm 23 is a favorite. "COVID took us through a valley," he said, referring to verse 4. Weaver also read from John 11:25 and said, "We can look forward to being with our loved ones again. That is the joy and hope we Christians have."
To honor those loved ones individually, Fairmount staff members read names of those who had died, and when family members were present, the staff member read a brief biography of the patient. One of the first names to be announced was Ira L. Herr Jr. Herr was born April 14, 1927, and he grew up in the Willow Street area. In 1950, he married his wife, Nora, and they had five children together. They eventually had seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Ira worked as a truck driver, and he attended Calvary Monument Bible Church. In 2007, he moved to Fairmount. Among Herr's joys were gospel music, working on cars, nature, and being outdoors. He especially liked to check on the weather and the gardens, and he loved ice cream. He passed on Aug. 4, 2020, at age of 93.
Others honored by the service in the order their names were read were Menno Stoltzfus, F. Mervin Buch, Daniel M. Stoltzfus, George D. Eaby, Roseine J. Sensenig, Arline Weidner, Amos W. Eberly, Natalie F. Groff, Anna Mary Rutt, Anna Mae Martin, Lee H. Kochel, Henry S. Paul III, Ellen W. Weiler, E. Luke Witmer, George W. Grube Jr., Helen A. Usner, Lorraine S. Eberly, Luke E. Lehman, and Amos K. Blank.
When family members were present, they were given a white rose and invited to share their memories of the loved one. Many thanked Fairmount for the care that person received.
Leave a Review