More than 100 family members whose loved ones utilized hospice care from Universal Home Health & Hospice and have passed away since last November gathered for a special memorial service Thursday evening, Nov. 14, at First Christian Church in Bellefontaine.
Local funeral home directors Trey Daring, right, Eichholtz, Daring & Sanford Funeral Home and Ryan Shoffstall, second from right, Shoffstall Funeral Home, alternated reading the names of about 137 lost loved ones while Melissa Madison, left and Wade Patterson, lit a candle in memory of each.
Universal President and CEO Mike Ray started the service by saying, “If you’re here tonight, you’ve had a rough year.”
“‘The death of a beloved is an amputation,'” Ray said, quoting C.S. Lewis.
First Christian pastor Kevin Greenwald offered the opening prayer.
Rick Farley with Jennings, Farley & Seeley Funeral Home read Psalm 23.
Universal’s chaplain Ken Neighoff shared a homily to relate the importance of sharing the stories and memories of lost loved ones with younger family members.
Music was provided by the Grace Notes.
A reception followed the service.