Jean-Marc Lepillez Obituary

Chère famille Lepillez et chère Wanda,

C'est avec une profonde tristesse que j'ai appris la disparition tragique de Jean Marc que j'apprécié particulièrement .On s'est connu suite à son premier accident et je l'ai soigné pendant un long moment , il mettait une ambiance extraordinaire dans le cabinet de réeducation . Il allait ensuite pour le mieux et nous avions une passion commune , la moto.
Lorsqu'il revenait sur le coin il ne manquait pas de venir me dire bonjour ce que j'appréciais beaucoup .
Puis ce fut le retour aux states , et il a continué à m'écrire pour me donner des nouvelles de la famille , je m'étais toujours dit qu'un jour j'irai lui faire la surprise de débarquer à Colorado Springs .La vie en a décidé autrement .
A Wanda et aux filles je vous présente mes plus sincères condoléances et mes profondes amitiés .
Si Wanda veut me joindre je lui laisse mon adresse mail de nouveau : [email protected].
Que Jean Marc repose en paix .

Dear Wanda:
The only image that comes close to what you must be feeling today is that of CS Lewis at his wife's bedside as he sobs over the loss of his best friend. It's the only portrayal over the loss of a spouse that has ever made any sense to me, if any sense can be made, when a husband or wife leaves a spouse. No words, just tears. My sadness over Jean-Marc is heightened by how much he endured in this life while still serving so faithfully. When we almost lost him back in 1993, I was too emotionally shut down to grasp the severity of the auto accident on the East-West Tollway. My better memories, of course,of him include a pre-dinner homily extolling the virtues of an appertiv not to exclude the benefits of the post-meal digestiv. Those wre great French meals with you durng the time Jayne and I spent at BFA from 1997-1999 where your friendship meant so much while we adjusted to a new life.
Jean-Marc and I spent lots of time as brothers in German Gasthauses solving the church's problems over "Deutsch Libations"---at the time there were few others I could talk with about the issues of the church, missions or theology. On the day Jean-Marc died, Lorene called to give me the prior news of the severity of his condition and could we pray. I offered our home and your closest friends sat around our dining room table one hour later when by then Jean-Marc had died. The Skowera's arrived first followed by Andersons, the Flewellens, Christe Sveen and then Kathy Jaderholm...we got to praying and then sat quietly in grief interrupted by moments of laughter recalling different aspects of Jean-Marc's life...it was real and I wanted you to know about this gathering...Jayne was at church praying for Jean-Marc and all of you in a worship meeting.
Jayne and I want you to know that our guestroom is open to you whenever you come through this way, although I'm convinced we'll all be debating about who gets the privilege of your presence.
My prayer for you, Wanda, is that you, always strong for Jean-Mar, will be able to grieve as deeply for as long as you must to get through all this.
No one could have had a more faithful and loving wife as Jean-Marc who was at his side always often helping others to understand your ministry together, to explain the nuances of Jean-Marc's approach to missions---but most of all to be his life companion which you certainly were. Now it's time for you to receive from all of us that blessing,
hospitality and love that defines what it might mean to be comforted by the Spirit.
Love, Jayne and Paul

dear wanda,
i knew jean marc at lamorlaye, e.b.i. and remember him as a loving , funny, happy, dedicated young man. my heart is sad at his loss, even more so for i have just lost my own husband to the result of a car accident this year as well. we may never know the reason why ..but need to always remember that G-d does. i am still in the desert but trying to get to the promised land and know that the life we have lost will produce what He has in mind. i still believe there is light at the end of the tunnel..i haven't gotten there yet but have hope. family and friends will be your strength and G-d is your shelter. my best to you and you family.
with much love , ellen denton leeds
[email protected]

Le 19 Avril 2009
Chère Wanda,

Sans doute gardes-tu un vague souvenir de notre rencontre chez vous un soir d'Octobre 1996 - nous étions à ce moment-là à Wheaton chez nos amis les Phemister et vous nous aviez invités à dîner ! c'est un souvenir qui nous est cher.

Nous avions toujours l'espoir de vous revoir un jour.

Nous venons d'apprendre le départ de Jean-Marc, et même si cette rencontre a été courte, nous vous gardions chèrement dans notre coeur. Ainsi, nous voulons te dire à toi et tes enfants, toute notre tristesse et notre soutien dans la prière.

Que le Dieu de toutes consolations soit particulièrement proche de vous tous dans ces moments si difficiles et douloureux. Que notre Dieu d'amour vous entoure de toute sa puissance.

Encore toute notre affection.

Colette et Jean-Louis Schwartz de Bar-le-Duc (France)

Dear Lepillez Family,

We are saddened to hear of your loss and we will have you all in our thoughts and prayers.

The Oakies

Dear Wanda,
Allison and I are surprised and saddened by the news of Jean-Marc's passing. I had just been looking at the FF website the other week, thinking of you all. I had had some good contact with Emmanuel Maennlein also noticing he is in the A-Board of FF....It was a pleasure to have had some time to know you in GE all when can say is we will be thinking of you.

Love,
Ron & Allison

Perhaps this poem may be of some benefit, I wrote after my Mom passed away 2 yrs. ago:

LETTING GO

Letting go, Holding on, Letting go
What else is there to do but let go?

We could hold on
Hold onto her laugh, her smile
We could hold onto her help, her care - hold onto these

Her worries, her anger, her complaints - let go of these
Letting go of all that she was and all that she was not

Did she hold us dear? Yes, no, sometimes.
Did we know she held us dear? Yes, no, sometimes.
Did we hold her dear? Yes, no, sometimes.
Did she know we held her dear? Yes, no, sometimes.

Here we are
Letting go of all that we were for her
And all that we were not for her
Letting go, holding on
Looking back, looking forward

Here we are
Letting go, holding on
Looking back, looking forward

Hold onto the good we see looking back
Let go of what we wish we didn’t see looking back

Forgive what you see back there
Any other day you might push that aside, but not today, please don’t do that today
No -- let it be, let it be forgiven
Let it go as if it were water falling out of your hands
As if your hands were held palms up to the sky
Symbolizing a request for help
Looking to the only one who can do such things

A great man once said:
The good I want to do, I do not do,
And that which I do not want to do, it is that I do.
In looking back, we will know that they could be our own words too….

Forgive yourself, forgive her
Forgive all that you or she, were not
Hold onto all that you or she, were

Letting go, holding on
Looking back, looking forward

Hold onto her laugh, her smile, hold onto her help, her care
Hold onto these
Hold her dear
Hold dear those you still have
Holding, not letting go
Looking back, looking forward
Holding them dear
Daily, holding them dear
Holding them dear knowing another day like this one will appear
A day that feels like rain clouds rolled quickly in
Filling your hands
Palms up to the sky
With water
Before you got out of the rain

By son of Gladys Arlene Rineer, Ron Régnier (Rineer).
February 19, 2007
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Request permission for further use with: [email protected]

Chère Wanda,
Quelle triste nouvelle ! Jean-Marc avait mené tant de combats que nous étions sûrs qu'il remporterait aussi celui-ci, entouré qu'il était des prières de tous. Nous sommes vraiment très près de toi en pensée pendant ces jours sombres, avec Carine, Melinda et Anne-Christine aussi. Jean-Marc est mort un 13 avril, comme notre petit Franklin.
Que le Dieu de toutes les consolations et de toute espérance, de la Résurrection, vous aide à surmonter le chagrin et peut-être la révolte.
Affectueusement,
Danièle, Jean-Michel, Ketsia et Jonathan

Dear Wanda and Family,

Jean-Marc is with the Lord . . . we can rejoice knowing He has prepared a special room in His mansion for one who so faithfully carried out His Great Commission.

Countless people in many countries are now believers because of Jean-Marc. What joy!

Judy and I are among the many Jean-Marc and you have reached out and touched with your hospitality and sincere friendship. Our memories are indelible of our times together in Glen Ellyn, France and he and I in Africa.

We grieve with you and praise the Lord for calling Jean-Mar home.

The Mission Ministry of Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Port Charlotte, FL extends heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Lepillez and family. Jean-Marc accompanied a team from Pilgrim to Cameroon to help establish a free medical clinic . . . the ongoing work of the clinic is inpart due to his efforts.
We rejoice knowing that Jean-Marc is now with our Lord.

Wanda,
Our love and sympathy go out to you and the girls in this time of earthly loss. How we remember the precious times we spent together, some as early as 4:50 AM! We were deeply saddened when Tom Eisenbraun told us of Jean-Marc's entry into Heaven. And we want you to know that we will be praying for you and the family.
Joan and Jim Stough

It was my privilege to have met Jean-Marc only very briefly. He struck me as a true gentle-man and I was shocked to hear of his sudden passing. In the short time we met we spent some time talking about France and England and in what ways we missed our respective countries of birth, but how we also loved living in Colorado. I am so sad for your loss, please accept my sincere condolences.

Dear Wanda, Karine, Melinda and Annie,

We are so sad for you and all of us who love and will miss Jean-Marc. Time seems to fly by, distance makes being there impossible for us. Please know that we hold you all close in our hearts. We will always remember the wonderful times we shared in our home with Jean-Marc. He is a very special person to us.
Blessings on you all as you move through this time a grief. May you be surround by the love of family and friends as well as the comfort of your faith.

Love, Bob and Maggie

We are so sorry about your loss. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love, Peggy Conn (Goshen, IN), Marcie, Greg, Amanda(& Matt) & Kayla Kuhns (Goshen, IN), Joe & Dee Conn (Goshen, IN) and Tina, Andy, Katie & Kelly Conn (Colorado Springs, CO)

Dear Wanda
Your Burr Oak Church family will be praying and thinking of you at this difficult time.

Although I did not have the opportunity to know Jean-Marc well, the little I knew of him reminded me of the person that I strive to be. He was a man who genuinely lived his faith, which speaks louder than any words can. He was filled with graciousness, kindness, and humor. He, quite literally, seemed to pass these things along to anyone he was in a room with. I am sure that he, and his family, have touched more people than they can know. Although he will be missed, he has left a legacy that will not be forgotten. My deepest condolences go out to his beloved wife and family. I know he was very proud of each of them.

Dear Wanda,
So sorry for your loss.
Remembering the good old days growing up with you and Ellie Mae.
May the good memories of your life carry you through these difficult times.
Fond regards to you and your family.
Jay Bontrager, Goshen, IN

Dear Lepillez Family,

Toby and I are very sorry to hear about Jean-Marc. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Although we never had the chance to meet, it is very clear through reading all of the stories and inspirations that Jean-Marc was such a wonderful person. He loved life, his family, and friends. Remember although our loved ones leave this earth, they are always around us and in our hearts.

Love Always,
Sara & Toby Shoda

Dear Friend Wanda,
I don't know where to begin. I join my grief with yours and also my praise for the life and witness of Jean-Marc. I think on all the wonderful times before and after you were first married living in Goshen. I know the life you shared was meant to be and God ordained it from the moment you met Jean-Marc. I wish we could be there to share in remembering Jean-Marc. He will always hold a special place in the Yost household hearts, as do you and the girls. You are all in our prayers without ceasing.

Much love, Marcia

Dear Wanda and family,
Jonathan and I are praying for you throughout each day, that the Spirit will hover over you all as you walk through these difficult hours. Jean-Marc was a dear man, and I hope that you all know how deep our affection was for him. It was always a pleasure and a delight to be in his presence. He had the rare quality of living with a twinkle in his eyes about the ordinary things of life (such a marvelous sense of humor), and yet such a deep and enduring burden for people to know God. It was a privilege to know him. We love you!

Debby & Jonathan Armerding

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your loved ones. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to meet Jean-Marc. His love of family and compassion for life and people was evident even on the first meeting. Please remember that our loved ones never leave us, they are in our hearts forever. I wish you peace in the memory of his love for you and his Lord.

Love,
Charlene and Chuck, Kim, Brianna and Lexy

Jean-Marc was a great man with an infectious personality. Just thinking about him can bring a smile and brightness to your day. I liked to tell him he was a man with "nine lives", but he obviously stayed with us as long as he did because God had great things for him to do. He was a genuine and gentle man with great power to make changes in the lives of so many. His life story is an inspiratation. I know he is looking down from above and smiling.