Wish You Were Here by Kevin Rohling

Justin, I miss you a lot. There is no doubt that you made people feel included and put nearly everyone in a good mood (except, perhaps, for Ashley's brother one time over at Scottie's). And I certainly include myself in with those people. We both had the same middle name, and with Gerard not being a terribly common name, I think it took some convincing evidence before you believed me. I guess my favorite times with you would have to have been the games and music in your parent's basement. I will never forget running around like crazy to Pearl Jam, shooting pool, playing games, and generally causing a raucous in the neighborhood. Also, all the times hanging around Albers, the Hootenaney(sp?) and Shorties, going to Cards games, visiting Jack Buck's memorial late at night (or early in the morning depending how you look at it) and countless other times I can't mention. There have been several times that I have wished you were with us because you made any good time even better with your conversation, presence, and smile (and your taste in music was OK, too!). Miss you, Kevin.

on 01.12.08

Like a brother by Jamie Jung

Oh Justin, how we loved to reminisce all the times in our lives we had so much fun as kids and adults. I am so lucky and proud to have you in my life. You are like a brother to me. We have known each other since we were three days old. What an amazing connection we always had. We enjoyed doing the same things and whenever we were together it was nothing but extreme fun. When I think back to us being kids I remember the excited feeling I would get when a family function would be coming up or if we were going to Grandma's to play. Sometimes I couldn't sleep the night before because I couldn't wait to see you. As we grew up, that feeling never went away. I would always tease myself that I was such a "kid" because I still couldn't wait to see you and spend time with you. We had so much fun in high school and we always managed to get a class or two together - and of course we had homeroom together every day for four years. And then of course we went to KC together. If I were to list my fondest memories it would be a never-ending list. A list of some of the happiest times in my life. You were always there for me. You helped me get through tough times and if I was sad you knew how to get me to smile. I can still feel you put your arm around me for comfort.
I still feel that comfort at times Justin. I feel it when I need it the most and I hope that I always get to feel your presence. I know in my heart that you are with us each and every day because you have made your presence known. Please continue to be with all of use who love you so much. We all need you in our lives.
Your daughter is amazing. She is so YOU. Her attitude, her behavior, how she can talk anyone into anything...she is beautiful and she loves her Daddy'O so much.
I can't wait to see you again Justin. I am no longer scared of death because I know you will be there waiting with a smile on your face. I love you.

on 20.08.08

Justin's Eulogy by Gary Behrman

"Below is the eulogy I delivered for Justin. July 26, 2007
St. Bernard’s Church
Albers, Illinois
I cannot claim to know the mind of God nor speak for God at moments such as this, but I am humbled and honored to speak for the people gathered in this Church to pray with you Barb and Tom, Nathan and Lindsay. This Church is 100 years old this year. For a century, people of faith have brought their joys and their pains to God under this roof. Asking God to hold our pain and our joy and carve them into the stone and mortar of this Church so that we will always remember who we are and why we are here. We are here at St. Bernard’s Church to remember an important truth that we celebrate in this Eucharist - that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God made known to us in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Nothing in the past and nothing yet to come can separate us from God’s promise, “I love you and you are mine.” We just sang this together as we presented Justin’s gifts to the altar. We need each other to remember this promise, that is why we gather together to pray, to remember. We remember God’s love for us, our love for each other and our love for Justin. We remember Justin’s love for us; we remember his entire life, not only his final days here on earth. In this Church we remember Justin, who he is and what he means to us. There was a moment in the hospital last week when Barb wanted so much for the medical staff to know Justin as we know him. The SLU hospital staff was outstanding in their care for Justin and all of us. So when Barb turned to a doctor who was especially sensitive to Justin and our family, the Doctor said, “I know Justin was a good man, I can see this in your family. My brother committed suicide when I was young. I know and I understand what you are trying to say.” Justin was a special little boy, from his early years he loved to make people laugh. One of his more magical moments would be when the family was walking through their neighborhood or riding their bikes, he would say, “I smell a rabbit.” And behold within minutes, a rabbit would dart across the street. Justin was magical in the way he could make us laugh and make life appear beautiful and awesome.Nathan, you are such a good big brother. From childhood on you and Justin were best friends. When you were young, you were Justin’s interpreter; you alone knew Justin’s language. Justin would be talking and talking and none of us knew what he was saying. We would turn to you and you knew exactly what he said.Watching Justin and his brother and sister Lindsay grow up together was such a joy for me and for so many others. I remember our vacations and bar-b-que’s. What a beautiful family you are. Justin, Lindsay and Nathan are best friends, not all siblings can say that their best friend is their brother. I met a lot of Justin’s friends this week at the hospital, what a great group of people. You can tell a lot about a person by his friends. You guys and gals are the best. Thank you for being here. I know it means a lot to Barb and Tom that you are here today with us. Last night, I turned to one of Justin’s friends and I asked her to tell me something special about Justin. She simply said, “I never met a nicer guy than Justin. Nothing was too much to ask of him. He was generous and kind. Just ask Bobby, Vicky’s brother. At Shorty’s 70th anniversary celebration he asked Justin where he got the Shorty’s tee shirt. Justin said they were just for the family, so he took off his shirt and gave it to Bobby. Justin would literally give you the shirt off of his back. According to his friends, Justin was a sports statistical genius, just like his Uncle Clyde. Justin could calculate and report football and baseball statistics right from under his baseball cap, which he always wore. Justin knew more about statistics than I ever learned in my PhD program. I should have asked Justin to sit in for me for my statistics exams maybe I would have passed them! In ’05 he was the fantasy football champion. His trophy stands next to the altar this morning. I cannot pass up this opportunity to thank Scott, Justin’s friend, for being there for Justin. You two are buddies for life. I know that Barb and Tom love you and appreciate all that you are to Justin. I can just hear Justin right now saying to Scott. This is such a great conversation about a great conversation we had one night. Ask Scott or any of his friends, and they will tell you that Justin was a great conversationalist; always witty, quick to laughter, clever and spontaneous.Justin was a loving son, brother, friend and father. He and Susan brought Alayna into the world, a beautiful girl who is an ever constant reminder of Justin and Susan’s love for her. They are extraordinary parents and Alayna will carry on Justin’s spirit long into the future. Justin’s life cannot be summed up by remembering one day in his life or dwelling only on these past couple of weeks. Justin is so much more than this. So, we look not only to the past to gain comfort and strength, but we look to the future. Because of his death many of us in this Church will have a new chance with life. This is not going to be easy. What we are faced with is a matter of faith, hope and love. Faith that Justin’s death is not in vain, hope that we will some day understand and love that we remain close to each other. Those of us who dare to call ourselves Christian or Catholic we believe that there is more to Jesus’ crucifixion. There is more to the story than just his death. It does not end there. Something happened with Jesus during those three days in the tomb. As Justin was unconscious in the hospital I kept thinking about his days in the tomb. I kept reminding myself that there is more to the story. Just like Mary, the mother of Jesus and his friend John the apostle, we wait and we wait. And then Sunday there was resurrection, for Jesus and for Justin. Just ask Nathan. Justin let Nathan see clearly that his death is not the end of the story. I looked at Nathan and I saw new life and I can honestly say that resurrection became real to me on that Sunday. Just like the early apostles, at first I did not believe what I was seeing. So like the apostles we prepare for Pentecost. Fifty days, fifty weeks, fifty months, someday into the future we will speak a new language, we will be blessed with the fire of Pentecost and we will understand what our dying means, just like the apostles did. A language of love, of forgiveness, a language of hope and faith; our faith believes that no matter how cruel, how tragic death might be, death is not the end of the story. It is not the end of Justin’s story. So I invite everyone in this Church to expect a miracle to happen between today and Pentecost. Expect God to visit each of us in unexpected ways at unexpected times and in unexpected places. Expect a miracle, or two or three or a hundred. And so we need the strength and hope to believe this story of resurrection. As Catholics we have a long family tradition of asking Mary, our Lady of Sorrows, to be with us as our comforter and perpetual help. She held the body of her dying son in her arms. She knows. She understands. She will give us the strength to believe in miracles, even after death has occurred. Something good awaits those who believe and hope in God, that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Expect a miracle. I already smell a rabbit. "

on 22.07.08

JB forever by Gary Reinhardt

I have known justin since the first grade. Even at the age of 25, he would always ask me "what's the best party you have ever been to?". Yes justin you're right ok, it was your first grade birthday party at Brandy's in New Baden. We ate pizza and played video games till Tom ran out of quarters. It was special for me because it was the first birthday party i was ever invited to. One of the moments i love the most was sneaking you and my little brother into the 2006 World Series party. It was a great time because we both loved the Redbirds so much. Justin you're a great friend and I will miss the Madden games, the tennis ball, and all the other great times we had. Most of all I will miss you.

on 12.07.08

Great Friend by Jill Kissinger

Justin-You were such a wonderful friend to me and many others. I admired how you went out of your way in making each person feel special and loved. I was blessed to have you as a friend. I miss you Jill.

on 17.06.08