| Final Stage of George Schulhoff’s Journey Home On March 28, 2000 at his Anderson Township home, George’s legs were so weak that he fell three times and could not get up by himself. The next morning, George could not rise from bed due to his weakened condition and was taken to Anderson Mercy Hospital’s emergency room where he was admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU). After many tests, the doctors determined that George had undergone a severe heart attack. But strangely enough, it caused him no pain. Ed Whalen, George’s friend and associate for better than 40 years, said that his best memory of the eleven day stay in the ICU occurred after the nurses were able to remove the throat tubes and George could talk freely. That evening, in a semiconscious condition, he breathed this short prayer of thanksgiving. “I thank you Lord for all the gifts you have given me in my lifetime. Thank you for grandmother and for my Mother and Father. Thank you for my three brothers and sister. Thank you for my wife, Emy. Thank you for all the priests that have touched my life. Thank you for all those who serve God from their heart. Thank you for all those who helped me in the Apostles of the Holy Spirit office. Thank you for all my employees at Schulhoff Tool Rental. Thank you for all my friends. Thank you for all the nurses and doctors who have helped me. Thank you for . . .” His voice trailed off into silence as he fell asleep. After sixteen days George was able to leave the hospital and was taken to a nearby nursing home to continue his physical therapy. However, on Easter Sunday morning, George was rushed back to Anderson Mercy Hospital and readmitted because of a severe nosebleed. On the 25th of April George and Emy celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary with the reception of Holy Communion and a special blessing of Lourdes water brought by their friend, Sister Mary Evelyn. It was indeed a wonderful day for the loving couple. Unfortunately, his improved condition was not to last. On the 28th George’s heart stopped. After a hectic few minutes his heartbeat resumed and George was returned to the ICU. The day of April 29th. was a true gift from the Holy Spirit. George received Holy Communion and was bright and alert the whole day. He told Emy, “I am now ready to go to Heaven.” Continuing, he whispered, “I love you. Don’t worry, you will be well taken care of. You also have the Holy Spirit with you.” In the late afternoon Sr. Mary Evelyn joined Emy, Ed and Ed’s wife, Helen, bedside where she led them in the Divine Mercy Chaplet blessing George with the Lourdes water. Afterward George was alert and responded that he felt at peace. Sunday, April 30th., dawned bright and beautiful. It was the feast of Divine Mercy. George was restless in the morning and somewhat distressed. Around 6:15 as George seemed to be resting well, Ed went with Emy to her car. Helen had remained with George. She watched as the monitor began a steady decline about 6:30. She blessed him with the Lourdes water and began praying aloud as the monitor’s numbers continued to decrease. His labored breathing was now faint - then ceased - just so quickly. As Emy was about to leave the parking lot the nurse had caught up with them to say that George was slipping fast. By the time she and Ed returned to the room George had already gone to his reward. George showed no sign of distress in his last moments - The Holy Spirit’s final reward. George was 86 years old. Saint Mary Faustina’s Jesus had taken George, his “good and faithful servant”, home. God made George very special, He served God well. |
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