Funeral Services for John Francis Astle November 9, 1951 - Providence, Utah

More Options   Print/Save More Documents View Pedigree View Photographs

PREVIOUS   1  2   3   4   NEXT

Brother Astle had the desire to spend his last days in the Temple. He went there when he could hardly walk but he desired to spend his last days there and very nearly did. He said, "I feel much better in the Temple than anywhere else. Anyone who goes there cannot help but feel better." Almost the last day of his life he was there, engaged in that work. I enjoyed my association with him and Sister Astle. I don't know of anyone I have a higher regard for than her and her children. When I look back and think that his wife died and left him with children, I can see what a trial that was for Brother Astle. He had to raise and take care of his family alone, out in that section of the Star Valley country. We can see many people left like that and it is an awful trial to go through, but Brother Astle weathered the storm and finally moved down here and married Sister Astle and had many good years here. Anything he put his hand to, he would see that it was done right. He was a great builder, a man who loved to do things right.

He was a contributor to the publishing of our history of our town and donated liberally to that. Whenever I come into this building, my eyes feast on this painting and in that I see Brother Astle, and my children and their children, when they come into this building, will see there the character of Brother Astle - a builder and a colonizer. I do not know of anything that Brother Astle could have done that would have given everyone more enjoyment and so we will always remember Brother Astle for his character and his part in our community.

I do not know how he went to the Temple so much. He knew that he would meet his ancestors on the other side and some of the people he had done work for in the Temple, and nothing could be more pleasing to anyone than to know you would meet everyone on the other side. His children are doing the same thing and so I am sure he is happy today with his former wife and children who passed on, and other friend. There is certain to be a happy reunion. He could go there with a clear conscience, with having done all he could for those who have gone on. We are not only here today, we must work for those who have gone on, who could not do for themselves what we can do today. Many did not know of the Gospel, never had the Priesthood, nor the chance to work for themselves. And so, we have to do the work for them as Brother Astle has and I know his satisfaction will be complete.

I remember my father saying that he once had a vision. He saw hundreds and thousands of his relatives in the spirit world and they were having a great jubilee when my father would come over into the spirit world and they were happy and rejoicing in the work that he had done for them in the Temple.

I trust, my Brothers and Sisters, that we will all emulate the example shown us by the good life of Brother Astle. I learned to love him for his faith and integrity. May God bless his children and his wife, that they may do their best to carry on the work that Brother Astle started is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Vocal Solo - "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" - John Spuhler:

It may not be on the mountain's high, or over the stormy sea; It may not be at the battle's front my Lord will have need of me; But if, by a still small, voice He calls to paths that I do not know; I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Thine, I'll go where you want me to go.

I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, over mountain, or plain, or sea; I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord, I'll be what you want me to be.

Perhaps today there are loving words which Jesus would have me speak; There may be now in the paths of sin some wand'rer whom I should seek; O Savior, if Thou wilt be my guide, tho dark and rugged the way; My voice shall echo the message sweet, I'll say what you want me to say.

I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, over mountain, or plain, or sea; I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord, I'll be what you want me to be.

There's surely somewhere a lowly place, in earth's harvest fields so wide; Where I may labor through life's short day for Jesus, the Crucified; So trusting my all to Thy tender care, and knowing Thou lovest me; I'll do Thy will with a heart sincere, I'll be what you want me to be.

I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, over mountain, or plain, or sea; I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord, I'll be what you want me to be.

Speaker - Brother George Dutson:

My dear Brothers and Sisters and family of Brother Astle. I hope that I can control my feelings while I stand before you. I am grateful for the opportunity that came to me Sunday, when my cousin called me up and asked me if I wouldn't like to visit Brother Astle, for a while. I am grateful that he mentioned it and that I went. We had a nice day. We had a time of rejoicing.

Eighty years ago the 21 st of September, Brother Astle entered mortality. I would not be surprised if many of us were there on the other side to bid him Godspeed when he came down here to earth to this mortal life. There was great rejoicing here when he arrived.

I knew his father and mother - I sometimes am choked down ----------- When we moved into Star Valley the 12th of June 1901, we took a bunch of cattle with us. As we passed Brother Astle's home, he was standing on the highway and greeted us and talked to us there. I was a lad of 17 years, small for my age, for some reason or other. My brothers are all six feet and more in height. I kept growing until I was 21 years of age. I am grateful I met Brother Astle there on the highway. The following Sunday we attended Sunday School and Brother Astle was there. He was the superintendent of the Sunday School and he and his family were always in attendance. He would get up at 4 o'clock Sunday morning to get his chores done. He had a bunch of cows to milk but his children helped him. He was always at the chapel ten or fifteen minutes before time to take up Sunday School. I believe he did as much, or more, for me than my own father did - teaching me the Gospel, telling me the importance of keeping myself clean. He seemed to pay special attention to me. I was a backward boy and did not take part in the Church. Still he helped me to bring myself out of that. Fifty years of knowing a wonderful man. Seventeen years we lived in Grover and met him every day. He always had a stimulant to give to young people - He showed them the importance of living the Gospel and keeping ourselves clean and unspotted from the sins of the world.

He asked me to go with him to hold a cottage meeting and I was glad I did. I learned things from Brother Astle that I never shall forget as long as I am honoring my membership in the Church and my Priesthood.

PREVIOUS   1  2   3   4   NEXT