Tuesday, December 9, there will be a viewing from 6-8pm
Wednesday, December 10, there will be a viewing from 10-11am and the funeral service will begin at 11am.
All of the services will be held at Ephrata First United Methodist Church on 68 N. Church St. in Ephrata.
Following the service, there will be a brief gathering for refreshments, but the details are to be determined.
24 comments:
look at those beautiful people! i hope you don't mind, but mike and i took the idea of using a picture of he and i at the dunes as our engagement picture. :-) haha. there's just something about that place...the background is perfect!
mindy, take care of yourself. i know you're strong, but there are plenty of people who love you and will be there when you need them! don't hesitate to call me if you need to talk!
love,
nicole
Mindy -
Please let me know what I can do for you. I am here to talk, or whatever you need. Please let me know. I am so sorry and know your pain.
I am going to email you my phone numbers, just in case you need me.
I am here for you, whenever.
I am so sorry.
Tina Kuhns
You don't know me, I found this blog through another cancer blog. Just wanted to say that I am so sorry for your loss. Derrick's story really touched me.
I am glad he is no longer suffering.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
To Derrick: Your Storm Inspired Many.
Through your storm you reignited a flame in my heart that was dwindling.
From your faith I was reminded that all things are possible through Him.
Because of your courage I have remembered how to trust in Him.
Witnessing your love has created an endless amount of hope and passion.
From your attitude and permenant smile I was reminded of His power.
Through your serenity I have learned to accept the things I cannot change and
from your strength change the things I can.
I will see you again someday my friend until then bask in the gloriousness that is Him.
I'm deeply sorry, Mindy.
With love and sincerest wishes always.
To the Dull family:
I wish there was something I could say, but nothing comes to mind. I just want you all to know you are constantly on my mind and in my prayers. Mindy, you are amazing, and I send my deepest sympathy to you all. Derrick left us all with such great memories, and I am absolutely HONORED to have known such a wonderful, strong, courageous and inspirational person such as Derrick.
With love,
Pam Akacki
You don't know me but I knew of Derrick from high school.
His life is truely an amazing journey touched by God and it will continue to touch others long after he is gone.
Mindy, you are a very strong person. God will take care of you through this sad time. Never stop looking to Him.
Your lives have inspired me to reconnect my relationship with God, love my husband unconditionally, let go of the small stuff, and never take a day forgranted. Thank you.
God bless and keep you.
I am so sry for ur loss. i knew D in high school. we both grad. 2003 he was a great guy. My prays are with you and ur family..
Loss of a loved one is never an easy thing to endure, but somehow we all keep those wonderful times as our memories we cherish best and make it through.
To Mindy and Derrick's entire family, as a stranger who feels your loss (I've recently lost my dear father to an accident) I wanted to just show there are caring, concerned people in Lancaster County who want your heart to heal. You are blessed to have known Derrick and blessed to have made these last few moments of his life the most comfortable as they could be as he prepared for his spot in Heaven.
Take care - The Gordon Family - Manheim, PA
dear mindy, jim, donna, and marcy,
i have been thinking about all of you and praying for all of you these past couple days. sometimes it is easy to do and sometimes it hasn't been so easy. i often think of how lucky derrick is to be in heaven and how wonderful it has to be there!! but then i think of you guys and how you must miss him and will continue to want him back here! i pray that with time it will get easier and that the hurt will soften as you keep your precious memories ever so close to your hearts. i will never forget how mindy told us about her grandma's pastor and how he said that derrick will do something great. which i believe he has done many great things. i know it may sound weird but i am looking forward to his memorial service/celebration of his life because i believe it will be GREAT and that he will once again touch so many lives and remind people about what is important! Mindy, you and Derrick both reminded all of us of how much we need JESUS and how we should never take anything for granted because life is short and we really don't deserve any of our many blessings. i believe maybe the GREAT thing that derrick did is his testimony and how he touched lives and will continue to do that from now on as anyone hears his story. because all of us who have been so touched by derrick and all of you can tell others and derrick will live on through our sharing of his amazing battle that he fought with such faith and love! you are an amazing family! we love you, mike, nancy, and family
Mindy,
I am so sorry for your loss. Words cannot express how I feel. I am unable to attend the funeral (due to distance, NC) but I will light a candle in honor of Derrick, as I have for the past year. You are simply amazing and an inspiration to us all. Please take care of yourself. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Lauren Hoover-Rogers
I do not know your family, but I just had to tell you how inspirational Derrick's story is. Your faith in God and love for each other is very touching. I lost my oldest brother 4 years ago (he passed away on his birthday). It is comforting to know that I will see him again one day, as you will also see Derrick again. May God bless all of you. I am so sorry for your loss. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4
MC - Lebanon, PA
Dear Marcy and Family,
I have not been in touch with you as of lately, but I have had some updates on Derrick from various students and am sooo very sorry for your loss. This is the first time that I have visited the blog. I have spent the last 45 minutes reading through the posting. I just wanted to let you know that this was such a great idea to post all of these pictures and stories. I did not know Derrick, but from reading these posts he was a very strong, resilient, and humble person who taught those who read this blog alot about how to deal with adversity. I know his spirit and story will live on and touch many others. Again, I am very sorry for your loss.
Coach Souder
Mindy,
Please know that I am praying for you and your family during this time. I have been so blessed to see how you both went through this last year with such faith and grace. Derrick's life and testimony have been such an inspiration and a witness of God's unfailing love! God is faithful, and I know that he will see you through this! You are loved.
Love
Rebecca
Mindy,
First of all, you looked beautiful last night, and you strength inspired us all. I know how hard that must have been for you. I also just wanted to say that it was amazing how much you knew about Derrick's friends...we were surpised you knew who was Derricks 4th grade girlfriend was! haha, that was so neat, and it touched us all that you cared so much about his friends as well...I hope you know how much you are thought of, I am so glad I got to meet you, even if just for a brief moment. I continue to pray for the entire Dull family daily...may he rest in peace.
<3 Pam
I just wanted to let you know how sorry that I am that Derrick has passed. Your family will continue to be in my prayers.
To the family and friends of Derrick,
I am so sorry to hear abour your loss from someone that I have heard nothing but absolutely wonderful things about. I have heard about his smile, is compassion, his love for his new wife, his love in Christ and never ending passion for fighting this horrible disease.
The next few days, months, years will be difficult for you but I truly believe what Marcy wrote (and Jimmy V said)that this disease can not take the most import things in your life; Derrick has shared many memories with each and every one of you. I am sure that each of you had your special moment with him that took the relationship and love to a higher level; those conversations, hugs, etc..just moments, will be with you forever.
Jeremiah 31:13 I will turn their mourning into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Conner McEachern
Mindy and Friends,
my prayers and condolences to you in this time. at least you have the reassurance that he went from this world into eternal life w/ Jesus.
but i know that that doesn't replace the loss you feel at this time.
blessings to you,
Shawn Landis, Ephrata '02
Thank you Derrick for loving Mindy. Thank you Derrick for your kindness to my family. Thank you Derrick for your strength and courage and all that you've taught us. Thank you Derrick for your beautiful smile. I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to know you. I only hope that I can honor your memory and take care of Mindy as you deserve. To remind myself of your strength and courage and to always fight on. I will miss you. Love Aunt Moley
Today at Derricks Celebration of Life, I was just so at a loss for words then I remembered a song by Mercy Me.....
"Word Of God Speak"
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak
I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice
[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
Although I didn't have the words, Gods voice was loud and clear. Derrick was a precious and most amazing gift and it was my great honor to have been able to sit there today with my family and see all whom have shared in that gift.
Kim Wilson
Mindy, Jim, Donna and Marcy...
I've been trying to figure out what to say for days. I remember what was said to me and nothing ever helped or made it better. All I wanted was a hug, a smile, a shoulder and an ear. I got that from your family any time I need to talk or vent...Please know that I am always available.
When I was first given the news in January, it was a difficult day because of all the other troubling news that came the same day. I had a hard time figuring out what to do next and I remember being in shock that night and sending Donna an email expressing how much Derrick and the Dulls have meant to me over the years, more so the last two.
The last 10 months, I've been remembering all kind of stories and memories of not only Derrick, both the others who have passed in the last few years. Whether he knew it or not, Derrick has seriously helped me cope with the loss I had. Today, I cried more than at my mom's memorial service (and then I cried because I felt guilty), but I cried mainly, because of all the fun times we had and all the laughter that was had. From Derrick's impression of Forrest Gump or marathon games of Monopoly waiting for the ball to drop on New Year's Eve. Who can forget the drives to North Carolina, not to mention the time spent down there. We were always laughing and giggling. Countless nights spent on the "boat" in the family room, late nights playing nintendo, or afternoon spent at softball and batmitten tournaments, I would tell anyone who would listen, that Derrick was one of my best friends.
Over the years, we grew apart and I really wish that I could have known who Derrick was now. I hope to hear many stories from those who knew him from High School and on...I can only imagine the hilarity of the stories now.
Everyone remember we're all just a phone call away.
Love always
Ranae
I went to school with Derrick from third grade through eleventh. We were not friends, but were not enemies. From what I can recall, he hung out with some pretty unfriendly people, but Derrick never had a mean thing to say the entire time we existed together in school. I will keep his entire family and friends in my thoughts during this trying time.
God bless.
I would like to say thank you to the entire Dull family for allowing us all to be apart of such a beautiful ceremony today. The celebration of life helps us all to remember Derrick over the years and not just for the sad events in the past few months. You have all been so strong through all of this and seeing that strength makes it alot easier for some of us to cope as well. Derrick is walking with the lord now and will watch over all of us in the years to come. His story will never be forgotten.
Mindy-
I too have a poem for you regarding storms that was gifted to me when my dad passed away. I would like you to have it in this absolutely devastating time in your life.
"There will be storms, child. There will be storms. And with each tempest you will seem to stand alone- against cruel winds. But with time, the rage and fury shall subside. And when the sky clears- you will find yourself clinging to someone you would have never known- but for storms."
-Margie DeMerell
I love you with all of my heart & will not take a step forward without you. You truly were D's angel on Earth and now he is yours- beside you always, though you cannot see him. And when you need a shoulder to cry upon, a hand to hold, an ear to listen or a tissue to wipe your eyes- I will be there.
With love,
Kelli Davis
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