Easter Vacation

Well, I'm officially on Easter Vacation. It's good to be home for a while. Haven't had enough rest recently, though this week will be full of family responsibilities for the funeral etc. Our friend Mary will be leaving to go back home today. She's been so good to mom. We are glad she could come down and join us for Easter.

My pottery teacher, Gary Hamner, is also a minister and he sang and shared with us yesterday at church, giving me some time to clear my thoughts and my head as we move towards the funeral.

Speaking of pottery, our family is going to go to Aardvark today. That's supposed to be the biggest ceramics store around to get supplies. Have to go to Santa Ana to get there. I'm anxious to see what exactly they have to sell that I don't even know about yet. I really enjoy the ceramics. It's very relaxing for me and you can make something pretty fast. I had a kiln someone once gave me. I sure wish I had kept it.

Funeral Arrangements

Here is the information for the funeral for Melvin Rockhill.

Dad's funeral will be on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel of Memories in Norwalk. The address is 12626 Woods Ave. in Norwalk, CA 90650. It is right next to our church. Woods is a small street that runs north and south between Firestone Blvd. on the South and Imperial Hwy. on the north. The northern side is across from the big Wal-Mart. The southern side faces Alberston Supermarket.

The viewing will be held at 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 on Tuesday evening. Walk in the main entrance and you will be directed to the proper place.

Mom is doing well. The funeral service will be directed by Jim Eagon and and Bob Rockhill.

The committal service will be held at Olive Lawn Cemetery in La Mirada. Upon leaving Chapel of Memories parking lot, simply turn right onto Imperial Hwy. and drive about 5 miles. When you get to La Mirada Blvd. turn right. On the corner of La Mirada Blvd. and Alicante you will see the cemetery. You will turn left onto the cemetery property.

Mel Rockhill

Dear Friends,

Most of you know that my dad was close to the end. I was called home today from school because he took a change for the worse. Basically, he just got weaker. I spent the day with him and my mom and sisters. We were all together. I just want you to know that he passed away at about 10:40 tonight. His funeral will be held at Chapel of Memories in Norwalk, right next to our church on Woods Ave.

I will email you when I get more details about the service. We appreciate all your prayers and support over the last several months and even years. So many of you came and visited dad or sent flowers etc. and we thank you for that. Mom is doing well. We are all thankful that he passed away in his sleep so peacefully. You can also look for information on my blog. I will continue to update there.

We are at peace, knowing Dad is at peace.

Bob, Connie, Zack, and Elizabeth Rockhill

1Cor. 15:55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
1Cor. 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
1Cor. 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Cor. 15:58 ¶ Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Update on Dad

Dad is still holding his own. Hospice give him a week or two to live. He had done better the last couple of days. He really perked up when his sister Leona came by to see him. And his sister Letha and his brother Frank came by as well. The visits do him well. His spirits are pretty good when he is awake. He does sleep a lot. He's still up for a visit if you can make it soon. Robin should be coming down on Sunday. That will cheer him up a lot.

Dad's Progress

Dad has come home. He is now in hospice care. The hospice group has provided him with a hospital bed, wheelchair, and much more. He's not walking much these days. Some days his legs are stronger than others. He seems to be stronger when he eats solid food, which isn't very often. This would be a good time to visit him if you plan on doing so. Please call first, however, as he sleeps a lot and wouldn't want to miss your visit.

Dad's Progress

Last night we celebrated Dad's 75 birthday in the hospital. He was in good spirits. We had Robin, Becky, Connie, Mom, Zack and Elizabeth and myself all crammed in the little room. Robin brought her saxophone and played for dad. I was surprised they let her, but it ended up with her going to other patient's rooms to play. They were very happy about that.

We also met with a chaplain at the hospital to talk about putting dad into hospice care. This seems to be the best route for us to take now. It will give us a lot of support for mom. Becky and Tony will be moving in a week, so the timing is good.

Had a good service this morning. Gary Hamner and his wife were with us. Gary is my pottery teacher. He's going to speak next week and do a pottery demo. It will be a special treat. He also sings and I believe his wife will by joining him. Zack said she has a beautiful voice. I'll post pictures next week.

Not Again!

I got a phone call early this evening that dad had taken another fall. Mom and Becky found him on the floor after they returned from the store. Mom called me and when I got there he was still on the floor in the bathroom. It's the first time I was the one to pick him up, but it was tough. He was pretty much dead weight. He couldn't help me at all. There wasn't much room for Beck and I to both get to him where he was. It was sad. I am hoping I got through to him a little bit. I think so. He needs to take more precautions. Please keep him in your prayers. It's tough on everyone.