Ivon Harris Obituary

I know that this is years later that I'm writing this but Pastor and Nancy are on my mind quite often. Pastor married me and my husband Michael David Petrulionis on October 22, 1984 at my maternal grandparents farm (Joseph and Ann Kocak) in Vestal, New York. I am still in shock at his demise with his daughter. We met Pastor and Nancy at a relatives bar and ate pizza with pepperoni in shape of a cross. They used to visit the farm often. They were loved by many. I will never forget any of them! May they rest in our Heavenly Father's arms.

Dear Mrs. Harris and Nathan,



I have been at a loss to find the words to express how saddened I am to read of the untimely and tragic loss your family has endured.

Mr. Harris was such a wonderful kindhearted man. I will never forget our first hug and I am forever changed knowing that he is gone. Sarah was the most angelic and remarkable young woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Accepting that her light is gone from the world is almost too hard to bear. Her picture has been, and will always remain, in my living room. My life will never be the same. Their voices and laughter are sorely missed, and Mr. Harris and Sarah will always have a place in my heart, where their happy memory reminds me of how blessed I am to have known such noble and gentle friends.

Nate, John and I have struggled to accept the shock of your loss, along with the realization of how much all our lives have changed in the years since we all shared each others company. Like John said, there is an 'emptiness in your absence' that we have alway felt and feel very strongly now, and it makes us realize how enduring our bonds of friendship and love truly are.



You are in my thoughts,

Kim

Dear Mrs Harris and Nate,



I am deeply saddened to have recently learned of your incredible loss. Please accept my most sincere condolences, and know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Nate, ....Far removed we've become in time and space, but I still love you like it was yesterday, my great friend. Kim and I had never really been released from the hold of emptiness that filled your absence from us, and now, there is just no way to truly describe how I feel. I am so sorry.



With love and friendship,



John

Dear Nancy and Nathan: I just wanted to express my deepest sympathy for your loss. It has been a long time since you lived next door to us and adopted our dalmation, Shaska, but when I heard about your great loss my heart sunk with the deepest of grief. My mother Doris also sends her deepest regrets. Our prayers are with you.



Lori DiChiara and Family

Doris Yankovitch

Dear Nancy,

We are so sorry to learn of your terrible loss. Maybe you remember us from Binghamton - we certainly remember you and Ivon, who was always bigger than life!

May God comfort you, as we live our lives in "the sure and certain hope of eternal life."

Love from Lu and Dox

To Pastor Ivon and Ms. Sarah Harris' family and friends:



We never had the pleasure of meeting Sarah, nor were we Trinity parishioners, but we saw Pastor Ivon at a number of Sokol gatherings and will always treasure our memories of the joy he took in life and in particular his life in Christ, and of his generosity of spirit. We remember especially vividly a story he told about a multi-synod Lutheran gathering that apparently took place during or just after the Presidential campaign of 1992, when the slogans and catchphrases of that campaign were still in everyone's minds.



It seems that the representatives of the various synods took to bickering about some doctrinal matter, when Professor Martin Marty walked up to the blackboard at the front of the gathering, seized a marking pen, and wrote in letters large enough for all to see:



IT'S THE MISSION, STUPID!



From the relish with which he told that story, clearly it was the mission for Pastor Ivon, and from all we have heard and read for his beloved Sarah also. As they invited Christ to live in them, so we trust they live on in Him. We shall certainly do our poor best to see that their spirit and example live on in our own hearts and hands.



Best wishes,

Rich and Debbie Homa

Dear Nancy and Nathan:



My father, William Prielozny, along with his brother and sisters, were life-long members of Trinity Lutheran Church. I met your husband/father when he presided for my mother's (Vera Prielozny) funeral 7 years ago. What I remember most fondly about Pastor Harris was the joy, energy and excitement he put into helping us plan a service for Mom that was as full of music as she was. I will always think of him as somebody full of life, and full of song. Blessings to you as you pass through this "valley of the shadow of death" into a new version of life.

Nancy and Nathan,

I was shocked to hear the news of Pastor Ivon and Sarah's deaths. He was such a kind and gentle giant. He was our pastor when my mother died. He helped me through a very difficult time.I will surely miss him. My prayers are with you both. I know they're watching over you now.

Debbie (Miller) Paul from the Northampton Holy Trinity parish

Dear Nancy and Nathan: You may not remember me, I and my husband Ray were members of Redeemer for over 30 years. We enjoyed you and Ivon so much, Nancy. I just found out this week and was shocked and devastated. I lost my Ray 9/24/03 and now know how one feels when you lose your soulmate, I have a hugh hole inside as if my insides were ripped out and it lessens but it doesn't go away. You miss him every single day. God bless you both and give you strength to go on in spite of the holes. Yours in Christ, Norma Benck

P.S.I moved to Cazenovia to be near one of my children as they all live in different places and none were in Binghamton anymore.

Dear Nancy & Nathan: I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in this difficult time. May God bless you both and keep you strong.

Dear Pr. Nancy & Nathan



My husband, Ken, and I are very sorry for your loss. It was a great shock to us. We will keep you in our prayers.

Pastor Nancy and Nathan,

My condolences to both of you. I met Pastor Ivon when I was an actor in a play in the church. I am Jewish, and he was always supportive of the Jewish people. I remember discussions with him about the Holocaust Museum in Skokie. Pastor Ivon was really a pastor for all people.

My best to both of you.

David Rubin

DEAR HARRIS FAMILY,

I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT PASTOR AND SARAH. I WAS A ALTER GIRL FOR TRINITY CHURCH WHEN I LIVED WITH THE FUSEKS AS THIER FOSTER CHILD. PASTOR INSPIRED ME SO MUCH, AND TOUCH MY LIFE WITH HOPE AND GOD. I CANT BELIVE HE IS GONE, AND I MISS HIM DEARLY, AS DO MANY. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS. PASTOR WAS LIKE A FATHER TO ME, AND NOW HE IS IN HEAVEN LOOKING DOWN ON ME AND EVERYONE. MY DEAPEST SYMPATHIES.

Dear Nancy and Nathan:

I only heard of Ivon and Sarah's tragic death last week while at a conference in Iowa. Memories of you at Muhlenberg and Ivon at Philadelphia came back sharply. Ivon and I were 2 of 17 ordained together at St. John's, Easton, on May 26th 1968, an era ago. I recall being at the Chapel for your wedding and at Ivon's installation in Hazleton (missed the others). Over the years we had lost touch because of distance, but I have always remembered his excellent pastoral care and churchmanship, and only a few years ago stole some material from his newsletter for mine. I will let Kim Williams and Andrew Robin know about this, as many of us here in the East in places you did not serve were not aware of what has happened. (Especially those of us no longer in the ELCA). May the Lord whom you both proclaim sustain you. In Xp,

Nathan: So sorry to hear the news of your father and sister, I wanted to let you know that your family at Seton Catholc HS's thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Pastor Nancy and Nathan, My deepest sympathy to you both. My heart grieves with you as well. May God's grace comfort you and lead you through this. You are in my prayers. Much love and embraces to you.

Pastor Nancy & Nathan,

WOW, I cannot beleive they are gone, and especially Sarah, Amanda & Joe will never forget her!! They still have pictures of them with her back in Binghamton. We miss you and will miss them dearly. Much Love Beth (Stalker) Rogers

Dear Nancy and Nathan,

Although you do not know me, or my children, we are part of your extended family. My husband, Wells is in Chicago with you today, sharing in your loss. I just wanted to tell you how deeply sorry we are for your losses, but even more sorry that we were not able to make it to the services to meet with you and give you our condolences in person. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you and your family in any way.

Dear Nancy, We are so saddened and shocked and speechless,We just can't put into words how we feel,we only know for sure they are with God and smiling down upon us.You know our doors are always open to you as you both and your family were so special to us.We will keep you all in our prayers.We Love You

Pastor Ivon: I will never forget you. Your booming voice, your great big hugs and your gentle nature guided me through my teenage years. You've touched so many lives. May you be at Peace-standing in the arms of the Lord. With love, Dawn (Patak) Langdon

Pastor Nancy

My sincere sympathy for your loss of your husband and daughter. I have always remembered the wonderful service you did when my husband was killed, and how you guided and helped me through that time. May you find comfort and strength from your friends, family, and especially from our Lord. My Mom, Marilyn Masters, joins me in prays for you and Nathan.

Dear Nancy and Nathan,

We still can not believe and comprehend what has happened to Ivon and Sara. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. If you ever need anything know that we are always here for you.

To the Harris Family: My prayers are with you during this most difficult time. As a former member of the SZS Council and a member of Holy Trinity, Little Falls, sister church of Ascension, Binghamton, I have many fond memories of Pastor Ivon, his bear hugs, his booming voice and his genuine love of life. God must have very special plans for Ivon and Sarah, to call them both home so soon. May God sustain you in the coming months through the love and caring of family & Friends.

In sympathy, Janet Lallier

Dearest Pastor Eileen and Nathan,

Our deepest sympathy to you both.

We will always cherish the times we got to spend with Pastor Ivon. We feel a deep loss. Everytime I would send him email I would remind him our door was always open for your visit, and he always said one day he would surprise us. So many things change in our lives, plans have to change and so many turning points.

Ours love and prayers are alway with you. My you have much comfort during this time.

Char and Les

Dear Nancy Eileen & family,

I was very upset to hear of the tragic deaths of your husband and daughter.

Though I live in Massachusetts, I met your husband several times--when he married my sister Linda to Steve Fusek, when he baptized their son, and when he visited my Dad in Rolla, Missouri.

Your husband was visiting his mother in St. Louis and took the time to drive 100 miles to visit my dad who was dying of cancer. My mother was extremely appreciative of your husband's thoughtfulness and caring. It meant a lot to her that he went so far out of the way, in order to visit the father of one of his parishioners.

I pray that you and your son will feel protected and consoled by the love and peace that only God can provide.

In sincere sympathy,

Joyce Schlef

Dear Nancy and Nathan,

The sudden and violent loss of both Ivon and Sarah was senseless taking of two wonderful people. Ivon gave so much, to so many, as a pastor to his congregations and to those of us who knew him as a warm wonderful friend.

We'll never forget the duet ("Perhaps Love") he sang at our wedding. We'll never forget him saying, "Churches are hospitals for sinners, not museums for saints."

It seems impossible, that his booming voice is stilled; that he can't share God's love on this earth anymore--except through those of us who were touched by him.



May God comfort you.

Dear Eileen, We want you to know you and Nate will be in our prayers. You have helped so many through difficult times. We pray you may be comforted with your faith in God and the knowledge that many friends are thankful that you have touched their lives. Our family, the Family of Rosella Dahm, will always hold you dear to us. God bless you. Barbara

Dear Nancy and Nathan I'm so very sorry for your loss of your husbanb and your daughter. On behalf of the Village of Buffalo Grove and our Police Dept. If there is anything you need please contact me at 847-205-7143.

May God the Father Guide you,

May Jesus Christ Walk with you and carry if needed,

May the Holy Spirit remain with your Family all the days of your lives.

Dear Nancy and Nathan,

We just want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We remember Ivon coming to our house so often and if it wasn't for both of you, Tom never would have had the opportunity to deliver our daughter, Becky. Words just cannot express how very sorry we are for your loss. God Bless You and Yours.

Tom & Sara Krohn

Dear Nancy and Nathan,



Our thoughts and prayers go out to you on this terrible loss. May God keep you strong during this time.



Love,

Terry, Sharon, and families

May God Forever more keep u all togather.May u look up to the hills from which cometh your help your help cometh from the lord which made heaven and earth. May God build you up and stregnth you. May the church and everone else stay togather and do what God want You to do may God keep and bless you.





Love the Durante family

My thoughts and prayers go out to Nancy and Nathan in this tragic loss. Ivon was my cousin. I have many warm memories of him growing up in New Jersey. I will think of him often.

Dear Harris Family...



Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We will never forget the hugs & handshakes we'd receive after Church service at Trinity.



God Bless Pastor Ivon & Sarah...

Dear Nancy and Nathan:

Please know that our hearts are broken and we fondly remember the wonderful spirit Pastor Ivon was and how he touched our lives. You have our Deepest Sympathy for your loss of both Ivon and Sarah we will never forget them.

Dear Eileen and Nathan,

My sympathies are with you in this time of loss. Ivon was a great friend to my family and I. I remember his chortling and great sense of humor. He was a good friend and colleague and help in my ministry. He and the Holy Spirit kept me going even in the tough times. We had great conversations that I will truly miss. My husband and he had great times talking about his love - food and let's not forget White Castle sliders. Grace Lutheran in Elmwood Park will keep you both in our prayers. The Fitzgerald Family - Pastor Joanne, Robert, John, Elizabeth and Timothy

Dear Nancy: Paul was the pastor at Trinity Church in Lehighton so I don't know if you recall us from The district. We express our deepest Synpathy to you and your family. You are in our prayers and thoughts as you proceed to heal from this ordeal. It was indeed our pleasure to have known Ivon and you. Blessings Jane Ann Spohn

Pr.Nancy and family, I always looked forward to the Synod Council meetings when I knew Pr.Ivon would be there where I could see him and talk with him. We both shared a love of trains. He will be greatly missed by my wife and myself.

We extend our sympathy to Pastor Eileen Harris and family at this very difficult time. We remember fondly Pastor Harris singing at our annual Slovak Stedraky at Sts. Peter & Paul Lutheran Church, Riverside, Illinois. May God bewith you at this very difficult time.

Pastor Nancy and Nathan:

No words can express the sorrow we feel for your loss and the world's loss in the passing of Pastor Ivon and Sarah. Pastor was an exceptional human being and was a blessing to all of the lives he touched. His bearhugs were the best! Please know you are in our prayers and they are in a much better place. With love and Sympathy, Gloria, Charlene and Brad Cook

Pastor Nancy and Nathan,

We were members of Ascension Church during your years here in Binghamton. No words can express the sorrow we feel for your loss and the world's loss in the passing of Pastor Ivon and Sarah. Pastor Ivon was an exceptional human being and was a blessing to everyone he met. We will always remember his bear hugs and his warmth and caring personality. You both are in our prayers. With love and Sympathy, Gloria, Charlene and Brad Cook

Dearest Nancy and Nathan,

Please know how heartbroken I am at this terrible loss of such a wonderful human being. The Dear Lord gave Pastor Ivon such a gift of life and love, caring and compassion to all he came in contact with...he will never be forgotten, and will forever be loved. I feel it a sincere honor to have been his secretary at Ascension Lutheran Church for 10 years, as well as one of the members of his flock during his time spent in Binghamton. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you both in your time of sorrow and beyond. My love to you, Candy.

The pastor was a very close and dear friend of both my late husband and I. He visited my husband during his illness and because he knew him well, he conducted his funeral with great compassion and understanding.



It's hard to believe that he will no longer be with us, especially after all he went through physically this year. He preached on the Sunday before his death and touched everyone in the congregation. We will miss his "hugs" and tenderness.

Blanch Brna, Member of Trinity, Chicago

Dear Nancy we are former members of Pilgrim, we are so very sorry about your loss, our prayers are with you.

Pastor Nancy and Nathan,

Our prayers have been with you and Nathan since we heard about Pastor and Sarah. We know that the Lord is holding them both in his loving arms. Our deepest sympathy to both of you. Pastor was a wonderful kind and caring man and a great blessing to every ones lives he touched. Much love in this difficult time. You will continue to be held up in prayer by Michele and I and the congregation of Living Word Lutheran Church (LCMS) The Woodlands, Tx

Joseph, Michele and Matthew Liberto

Dear Nancy Eileen and Nate, Please know I am praying for you both. I know that they are safe in the Lord's Hands.

Love, Pam

Pastor Ivon, I want to Thank you for all of the years you were with us. I will never forget the love and compassion you showed all of us. and most of all I will never forget your "bear hugs" they were the Best!!! my family and i will Never forget you or your family!! Pastor Nancy and Nathan, you are always in our prayers God Bless you!!!

Dear Pastor Eileen,

It is so difficult to find the words to express our sympathy. We will pray for you and your family during your grieving.

Anna Micheli, Amelia Hicks, Dino Micheli

The congregation of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Danbury, Ct extend our deepest sympathy for the great losses you are bearing! Our prayers are with you all!

Dear Friends, There is no particular reason that either of you should remember me or my family except that we were at LTS Gettysburg the same time that Pastor Harris was getting his STM and I was there to get an MDIV. We worked on several Eucharist services both at Gettysburg and at my parish intern site at St John, Harpers Ferry, WV. Pastor Harris presided at a Pentecost Eucharist which included the local Episcopal congregation - a joint service which was a radical movement toward

pulpit fellowship before it was really even possible. Another student now REV Anne-Rose Reeves assisted with the service. I was the organist. It was a wonderful Sunday! Even then I recognized in Pastor something which Trinity Lutheran Church also found - a wonderful person and man of GOD. "May the Blessings of Almighy God, Father, + Son and Holy Spirit abide with you all your days."

To Mrs. Harris and Nate Harris:



Please know that our prayers are with you in your time of bereavement. I believe that there is never a storm that will not pass over. May God keep you in this time of bereavement.

Dear Pastor Nancy Eileen and Family - Our prayers are full of love and hope for you and your family. Pastor Ivon and Daughter Sarah will live on through all the lives they touched with their love, kindness and faith in God. Our love and Gods blessings, Betty Konecnik, Carole & George Trimmer

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.