After the lean years of the Depression Harold started a heating company which grew and flourished. Besides keeping their home, Evelyn frequently worked alongside Harold in the business. Later in life the couple became parents to two children. Today the family includes six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Our congregation first met Harold and Evelyn last year, when Pastor Lepak began conducting devotions at The Tillers nursing home in Oswego, Illinois. The Heimsoths were Synodical Conference Lutherans, living a long way from their LCMS congregation in Algonquin. Visits were cordial from the outset. It soon became apparent that Harold and Evelyn not only wanted Pastor Lepak to serve them as their pastor, but they also wished to start a church right there at The Tillers.

The Gospel of free and full forgiveness in Christ was dear to the Heimsoths. All around them were people who desperately needed to hear that message. So at age 97 they began to help gather people and promote a Saturday night service among fellow residents.

This past February, Harold went home to heaven after a long illness. Like Simeon, he departed in peace, for he had seen his Savior. Those who knew him have the blessed certainty that Harold is among a far greater congregation now singing with a clear voice, "Worthy is the Lamb!"

If you could speak to Harold today he would tell you that it is never too late to tell others that God loves them so much, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Stop by to visit Evelyn, and she will tell you the same.

Philip Lepak is an ELS home missionary serving in Plainsview, Illinois.