Funeral Homily for Charlie Milmine - May 6, 2026 - The Rev. Colette Hammesfahr
We hear in Job: “In God’s hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.” That is where we begin today. Because Charlie’s life—every breath of it—has always been held in God’s hand. And it still is. His family tells us that Charlie had a refrain: “Carry on.” Not in a sentimental way. Not as a slogan. But as a way of living. And when you listen to the story of his life, you begin to see what that meant. It meant a life that kept moving… kept growing… kept giving itself away. From a childhood wandering woods and shorelines…to a Marine who served with quiet pride…to a forester who loved wild places…to a teacher who, by his own admission, was sometimes learning the material as he taught it—and yet changed lives because he taught students something deeper: how to think. That’s a life that carried on. Not in a straight line. Not in a polished way. But in a deeply human, faithful way. And maybe nowhere do we see that more clearly than in the way...