Celebrating the life of Arnold E. Pritchard

I. Scripture Reading and Prayer: Pastor Gillis Killam

II. Hymn: My Savior First of All

III. Eulogy: Pastor Ernie Metz

IV. Tribute: Kerilei Oldoerp (Granddaughter)

V. Solo: Shasta Mund (Granddaughter) "Consider the Lillies"

VI. Tributes: Norman West and Gillis Killam

VII. Singing of Choruses

VIII. Tribute: Pastor Lorne Pritchard (Brother)

IX. Solo: Clara White "I Shall See Him Face to Face"

X. Message by Arlo A. Johnson (Brother-in-law)

Our Celebration of the Life of Arnold Pritchard!
You have heard Arnold’s story, and had Arnold been here today, I think I know how he would have responded: He would have been a bit embarrassed, and with a mischievious smile, he would have said, “Oh that was nothing!” You see Arnold was a humble man that did everything in his power to stay out of the limelight! Arnold’s story is really HIS-STORY, The Apostle Paul put it this way: “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave his life for me.”

[You have heard many wonderful expressions of love and appreciation for the life and service of Arnold Pritchard. I want to affirm to you that Arnold’s life has been a blessing to Glenna and I and our family].

In these few concluding minutes, on the backdrop of the story of Arnold’s life, I would like to share several verses of scripture to help you to do one of two things: 1. To come to a place of initial personal faith in Christ as Savior and Lord, or 2. To come to a place of greater commitment to serve your Savior as Lord of your life!

1. Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 New Living Translation: (Eccl.7:2-5 niv).
“It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time.”

Why is this so? a) At a funeral we are reminded of our mortality! In life we think far more about living, than the possibility of dying! But at a funeral we are reminded both by the visual and verbal fact, that “It is appointed unto man once to die, and after that the judgment.”

b) The NIV puts it this way: “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to a house of feasting: for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.” Again by being here today, each of us is reminded that “death is the destiny of every person, including you and me!

c) 7:3 “Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.” Sorrow for sin, and the consequences it brings will bring a person to the place of trust in God as Savior!

d) 7:4 “A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now.”

EVERY EVENT IN LIFE REQUIRES PREPARATION! Since death is one of the events of life that none of us are going to avoid, we need to prepare for death! How can one be prepared for death? As we think about being prepared for death, listen to these words, and the truth they contain: Rom.3:23; 6:23; John 5:24; 1:10-12; (Rom.10:9-10); Revelation 3:20.

XI Hymn: The Old Rugged Cross

Arnold Ellis Pritchard of Wilcox, Saskatchewan passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 7, 2008 at the age of 89 years.

He was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Viola Pritchard; sister Elma; brother Lester; sister-in-law Anne and brother-in-law Ronnie Burnside.

Arnold's memory will be cherished by his wife Reatha;
daughter Marilyn (Terry) Poppelwell and their children: Kerilei (Greg) Oldoerp, and her son Jair (Anndrea) Poppelwell, and their children Franchesca and Elliot; Teresa (Danile) Riggio and son Massimo; Blake Popelwell and Brett (Amanda) Poppelwell and daughter Tristyn;
daughter Marsha (Larry) Borowko and their children Shasta (Clayton) Mund and their children Ava and Justus; and Ryan Borowko.
He will also be lovingly remembered by his sister Elsie Burnside; brother Lorne; sister-in-law Thelma Pritchard; sister Luella (Eldon) Johnson; brother Eric (Luella); brother/sister-in-law Arlo and Glenna Johnson; as well as nieces, nephews and many friends.

Arnold was born on the family farm near Khedive, Saskatchewan on June 24, 1919. In 1941, he married Reatha Johnson and they had two daughters, Marilyn and Marsha. They farmed and resided in the Moreland disstrict and in 1950 built a home in Pangman, Saskatchewan. In those first years, he farmed with his father, raised livestock and enjoyed breaking and riding horses.

Arnold was also very much involved with the church, Pangman Bethel Mission Assembly, and served on the board and as a Sunday School teacher. He loved to help others and often assisted the elderly. He spent many years supporting Trossachs Gospel Camp by working with others in the building, maintenance and management of the campgrounds. Arnold and Reatha spent the winter months from 1969-1980 in Eston, Saskatchewan. In Eston, he enjoyed working with the students and staff at the Full Gospel Bible Institute.

In 1962, Arnold and Reatha purchased a farm in the Wilcox area. It was during these years that he enjoyed curling and pursuing his love of horses by showing his Arabian horse, Zahlim. This horse won many awards including first prize in the "Costume Class" of 22 horses in the Regina Horse Show.

Many happy memories were made with his grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many others who came to spend time on the farm with Arnold and Reatha. The desire of Arnold's heart was to honor and serve the Lord by loving his family and caring for others.