In part, this is shown in his memoir as he leaves home, struggles to survive, returns home, and then leaves again. The stories allow readers to imagine what it must be like to live in a tight-knit community that embraces you with its timeless values.īut the choice to leave that community wasn't quite so romantic for Wagler. The titles evoke a simpler world, a place where a Hallmark Christmas movie could be set. A random search will turn up a wide selection.

In the last decade, similar stories have been glorified in an avalanche of romance novels. The NY Times bestselling author of the memoir Growing Up Amish reflects on the difficulties of severing ties with his past, and the writing of a follow-up memoir.įew writers have had the opportunity New York Times bestselling author Ira Wagler claimed: telling his story of flight from the Old Order Amish home he knew in Indiana. If you'd like to read about Joseph's life, please click on our Soul Teachers story, published our Soul Teachers website. John was just five years away from his own crossing when he delivered this sermon. Having read Joe's Master's Thesis, written at the end of his studies at Kent State University, I recognized Joe's apostolic vision within John's eulogy. My sister Marcia, once Joe's student in high school, recalled to me earlier this morning that Joe believed no choir service should be given without an invitation.įinally, John concludes his eulogy with a few verses from the book of I Samuel, comparing his love for Joseph to that of the love shared between David and Jonathan.Īs I edited with the original cassette tape, I became aware that since the men were twins, I was listening to a voice that sounded hauntingly like Joe himself. This emphasis on repentance is consistent with Joe's own life. John also added a brief call for repentance at the end - encouraging people to avoid the lure of becoming the proud, elder brother John himself felt he had become during Joe's life.

John refers to the role Joe played in helping John find his way to God. The eulogy is brilliantly structured around John 's own apology - which is the only reason I was interested in hearing it - woven with memories that show their deep love for each other. It's a mix of sermon and memory, actually. The two were born on April 23, 1918, and Joe died on October 31, 1995. Here is the eulogy John Overholt preached at his twin brother Joe's funeral on November 5, 1995.

Ira wagler author