John 14:1-6; John 3:13-17; Isaiah 65:17-25
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Harlan William Platte lived the life God gave him on this earth ninety-nine years, three hundred sixty-four days, and just a few hours short of his 100th birthday. That’s a long life by any post-flood standard, and it means that Harlan experienced of lot of history, blessings, joys, sorrows, and tragedies, and he persevered by the grace, love, and mercy of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Harlan was a member of the “Greatest Generation.” They didn’t give that name to themselves – it was Tom Brokaw who first coined the name – but others recognized the unique deeds, contributions, patriotism, and sacrifice of that generation. Harlan came of age during the Great Depression, fought in World War II, and demonstrated resilience contributing to building post-war America.
In high school, Harlan was a member of that 1944 Waverly Go-Hawk State Basketball Championship team. That was also the year he graduated. Within a month of his high school graduation, Harlan enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corp and was one of 180,000 U. S. Army and Marine troops who fought in the Battle of Okinawa, one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Harlan regularly recounted the day his amphibious assault unit landed on Okinawa. It was April 1, 1945, April Fool’s Day, but more meaningful to Harlan, it was also Easter Sunday. Harlan prayed every day and night, sometimes continually, that the Lord would preserve him through the battle. He described the horrors surrounding him and the deaths of his fellow soldiers whom he described as “just meat.” Harlan’s Lord, and his faith was what carried him though.
After the war Harlan eloped with his high school sweetheart Helen Buhrow and was married on February 5, 1949. Harlan and Helen were married just shy of seventy-seven years. Harlan enrolled in Iowa State University’s Veterinary Program. He became a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1951 and opened the Platte Veterinary Clinic in Waverly serving farm animals and household pets for thirty-five years. Harlan and Helen enjoyed golf and dancing at the “Electric Ballroom” and the Janesville “Riviera” where the big bands played.
Faith was a pillar of life for Harlan. Born, baptized, and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Waverly, Harlan was the longest-time member of St. John. He was not the oldest member, mind you – that title goes to Grace Arends who died in the Lord at age 102 just a couple weeks ago – but Harlan was the longest-time member of this congregation. Grace had transferred in later in life. Harlan served as an Elder for a number of years, and when he was no longer able to attend services in person, Harlan and Helen faithfully watched livestreamed services on their television and received communion regularly from their pastor who visited them at home.
The hymn Cassie sang a moment ago, “Praise to you and Adoration,” was a favorite for Harlan; it was in his Marine Prayer Book, and it brought him comfort and peace in Okinawa. But Harlan had a long list of hymns he loved, hymns which were meant to be accompanied by the organ. In The Battle of Okinawa, Harlan and his fellow soldiers had to make their way through Wana Draw, a treacherous, cave-riddled valley where U. S. Marines faced intense Japanese defenses and suffered heavy casualties such that they named it the “Valley of Death.” I have to think that’s what Harlan thought of when he read the words of Psalm 23, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” How comforting it is to believe and to know that our Lord and Savior, our Good Shepherd Jesus, has not only passed through that valley before us, but even now shepherds, feeds, and protects us as we make our way through that valley into His Father’s house forevermore.
In these past few years Harlan had an epiphany that brought him immense comfort and hope. Harlan came to realize that when a Christian dies, there’s no long period of time, be it days or years, before he enters the presence of his Lord, but upon death, the soul of a Christian is with Jesus immediately. I think this is important to share with you now because I suspect there are others who have been confused as well. But what does Jesus say? He told the repentant thief on the cross, “This day you will be with me in paradise.” And Jesus told a story about two men who died, one a believer, the other wicked; upon death the wicked man was in torment and flame, and the faithful man was “carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom,” a place of comfort. Harlan found this truth so very comforting, and we are comforted now that Harlan is with his Lord and Savior Jesus.
And Harlan’s comfort is available to all who will believe and trust in Jesus, “For God so loved the world [in this way], He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” And the way to heaven is not a mystery, but it is a person, as Jesus taught, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.”
Helen, David, Paul, Ann, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, who led Harlan for nearly one hundred years is still leading, guiding, feeding, shepherding, and protecting you His sheep who trust in Him and follow Him through the valley of the shadow of death into His Father’s house forevermore. There you will see Harlan again and all you love who have died in the Lord with flesh and blood eyes, hear them with flesh and blood ears, and hold them with flesh and blood arms. God will dry every tear from your eyes, and no one will take your joy from you.
In the + Name of Jesus. Amen.
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