John T. Distefano

John was a man who took his God-given roles seriously. As a husband he was characterized by putting my needs before his own. When we first moved to Cincinnati and were staying at the Residence Inn, John delayed the start to his new job, caring for both kids who were sick, so I could attend a womens Bible study. I guess he knew I really needed to be there! That selfless act spoke volumes to me about how much he valued me. Whenever anyone asked if I worked outside the home, John was quick to explain that my calling as a stay-at-home mom was far more challenging and around the clock work than his profession. As a father he did his fair share of diaper changing, pacing the floor comforting little distresses. Michael and Beth Ann both seemed to time things just right so that John was the one holding them most often when they threw up, which I thought was very considerate of them! When Michael and Beth Ann got older, John continued to be there to coach baseball, teach Sunday school, applaud at school events, cry at voice recitals, etc., etc., etc. He was always available for his children: John was passionate about his family. As most of you probably know, John was fascinated by the weather, by the wonders of this earth God created for us. Every winter I must have asked him to explain the difference between sleet and freezing rain, hail, snow grains, etc.; he would patiently tell me again (usually in more detail than I needed!). He was a good meteorologist and a dedicated employee. One of Johns mantras was Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3: 23, 24. My husband was passionate about the Truth. He was a truth seeker and a truth teller. (Sometimes whether you wanted to hear the truth or not!) Since the time that he first heard, understood, and embraced the true gospel message, he was a tenacious defender of the good news . Whether with us at home, with other family members, with co-workers, with friends, with Hope Church family, with neighbors or with strangers, he never hesitated to point people to what God says in His Word. He was a watchdog in the church and in the world, ready to take on anyone or anything that veered from biblical truth. The reason he could be so dogmatic, or some might say black and white, was he did not want people to be given false ideas about where they would spend eternity. John trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for his salvation, and because he surrendered his life to the authority of Jesus, we have hope. Not the kind of hope that says, I sure hope he makes it to heaven, but a living hope. I Peter 1:3-9 says Blessed be the God and Father or our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. Romans 8:24- 25 says, For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Now Johns waiting is over. Now his faith is sight. He is finally home with Jesus. Therefore, being always of good courage, and know that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord -- for we walk by faith, not by sight -- we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. We grieve no longer for John. We grieve for ourselves the loss of a faithful husband, devoted father, beloved son, dummy brother (inside joke!) and loyal friend. John has finished the race set before him, and he finished well.

SERVICE & FAMILY INFORMATION: John Thomas Distefano, 52, beloved husband of Elizabeth (nee Cirignano), dear father of Michael DiStefano and Beth Ann DiStefano, dear son of Robert and the late Catherine DiStefano of Bridgewater, MA, brother of Ron DiStefano of Brookline,MA and Diane Witkus (Stan) of Middleboro, MA. Passed away Saturday, March 14, 2009. Visitation 4-8PM Thursday, March 19 at Mueller Parker Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road, Mason, Ohio 45040. Visitation also from 10AM to service time at 11AM on Friday, March 20 at Hope Church, 4934 Western Row Road, Mason, Ohio. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made at any 5th/3rd Bank to the John DiStefano College Memorial Fund or may be mailed to 7700 Cox Road, W. Chester, OH 45069. To send a condolence, visit www.muellerparker.com

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