FUNERAL: Lincoln Mansfield
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Church/Chapel:
Pre-Service
[instrumental hymns; Visitation (12-1pm)]
Seating of the Family
[informally near time of start of service]
Welcome & Prayer
Song – “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
[Becky Cartledge and Kelly Warnes; for all songs]
Life History – Lincoln Lewis Mansfield
Lincoln Lewis Mansfield, born February 12, 1927, in Herndon, Iowa…entered into his eternal rest, February 10, 2022, at the age of 94 years, 11 months, and 28 days (just two days shy of his 95th birthday…speaking of his birthday, another famous American shares his birthday with Lincoln—that being President Abraham Lincoln, hence where Lincoln got his name).
Lincoln was one of FOURTEEN (you heard that right!) children born to Charles and Helen Mansfield.
Growing up, Lincoln only completed the 8th grade in school…however, one of his proudest accomplishments was completing his GED (through Maple Woods)—at age 80! He had also completed classes at DeVry University.
The reason for not going farther in school growing up? The need to work to help out the family. At a young age—14 [or so]—he worked for various farming families in their rural Iowa community. At the age of 16, his family took a trip to Burbank, CA, to visit his Grandma, Aunt & Uncle…and he decided to stay out there and began working for the City of Burbank. At 18 (1945), he enlisted in and served 18 months in the US Navy…in Okinawa. (Lincoln loved the military and desired to follow in the footsteps of four of his brothers who had served in WWII.) After coming back home, Lincoln studied and became an electrician in Perry, Iowa. When he moved to Kansas City, in 1951, he went to work for GM—mainly at the Fisher Body plant in Leeds, MO…from which he retired after 40 years in 1991…and, like another family member, Ronald Barrett, Lincoln also served on the Claycomo Zoning Commission.
Now, all the work is good, but…more importantly…in 1952—on March 23 at Smithville Methodist Church to be precise—Lincoln married the love of his life, Geri Crispin. They had met in Perry, Iowa…at the skating rink, and I have it on good authority that it was Lincoln who pursued Geri! Also, Lincoln still had a pair of roller skates from those days, too.
To the establishment of their home, our Lord blessed them with the addition of three lovely daughters: Linda, Terri, and Cristin. Throughout his life God grew Lincoln’s family to include the blessing of grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well.
Shortly after Lincoln and Geri moved into the Claycomo area, their neighbor—Pastor Chase, of Claycomo Baptist Church—encouraged them to get into church…and they connect their lives with our church family in the early 60s.
Lincoln enjoyed various interests throughout his life. He was a member of Rising Sun Masonic Lodge #13 and the Ararat Shriners. He was an avid reader of pretty much anything, especially enjoying the history of WWII. He really enjoyed going to thrift stores and railroad salvages—which fit with his “frugal” demeanor. Linda told me this week that the standard joke about her dad was that he had three of everything…one that worked, one that didn’t, and one that might. Lincoln also really, really liked candy—his favorite being salt-water taffy. No matter what kind of candy, you could rest assured that he had something stashed nearby or some in one of his pockets. Above all, he enjoyed people…especially family. Lincoln, in his retirement, worked for Carolyn—of Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch fame—driving the tractor for the kids…many of which called him ‘Grandpa Lincoln.’ His family told me that he would come home after having been working at the pumpkin patch and talk enthusiastically about how many kids he had hauled around that day. He loved life…loved people…loved his family.
Lincoln was preceded in death by his parents, and twelve of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Geri; his sister, Lois Heisler; his three daughters, Linda (Jerry) Billings, Terri Mansfield, and Cristin Mansfield; his grandchildren, Erin Nystrom, Kelly Billings, Joshua (Holly) Billings; his great grandchildren, Madison, Hunter, and Eason Nystrom & Grayson, Oscar, and Calvin Billings; along with numerous extended family and dear friends.
Memories –
Erin Nystrom & Madison Nystrom
Terri & Cristin Mansfield
Song – “Old Rugged Cross”
Message – [Psalm 23] Four Assurances in the Face of Death
At times like these, we often look for assurance—something, or someone, we can hold on to. I believe that, just as in all the days of our lives, today we will only find lasting assurance in what our Lord has said (which He still says today).
One of the most often mentioned passages of Scripture to help us understand hope, even amid the grief and sorrow of the death of a loved one and friend, is Psalm 23. Here we find, for those whose hearts and lives are surrendered to The Good Shepherd (John 10.11-18) … four assurances our Lord, Jesus, has for us.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
A PERSONAL ASSURANCE (Psalm 23.1)
“The LORD is my shepherd”
A PEACEFUL ASSURANCE (Psalm 23.2-3)
“He makes me lie down in green pastures”
“He leads me beside still waters”
“He restores my soul”
A PROFOUND ASSURANCE (Psalm 23.4)
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…you are with me”
A PERMANENT ASSURANCE (Psalm 23.5-6)
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”
“My cup overflows”
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”
“I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever”
These assurances are a blessing to all of us, who like Lincoln, have Jesus as their Savior. Jesus himself is the one who said:
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Our relationship with Jesus as Savior and Lord makes this great hymn, “Amazing Grace,” such a beautiful song of hope…and reminder of our assurance.
Song – “Amazing Grace”
Prayer
Dismissing of Service
[Final time for family; Prayer with family]
__________________________
Graveside:
Military Honors [?]
Scripture Reading – [1 Thessalonians 4.13-18]
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Prayer