He was a shining light

To Sarah & all who loved Jesse: I have such vivid memories of Jesse, a young, very talented actor, bringing the Spoon River poetry to life at Sheridan High School. He was inspired (and fun-loving, so very creative) , and I felt blessed to be able to work with him. I am so very sorry for the grief you are feeling. He was (and is) a shining light. ~Susan Cannon, Big Horn

Jesse was a man of gentleness, sensitity and depth

I will always remember how calm and centered Jesse and Sarah seemed together as they walked, hand in hand, to the break room at Wal-Mart. I could see in their eyes how deeply they cared for one another, and loved hearing of the plans they shared for good things to come. Even when Jesse was busy working, he would stop and talk to me about his concern for Tim's health, the escapades of an indolent pet, or how proud he was of Sarah's latest accomplishment. There was a gentleness, sensitivity and depth about Jesse that few possess. And a pain I could not identify.

Though he will be dearly missed by all who knew him, he suffers no more--wrapped in the arms of a peace and joy and understanding we can only imagine.

God bless you, Jesse. And those who mourn you still. ~Kathryn Wallop, former teacher of Sarah's, lifelong friend of Tim's, friend of the family

God's grace and love guide you

Sarah, Melana, Tim & Emily,
My sincere sympathy to you in the loss of Jesse. Praying God's grace and love will guide and keep you during this difficult time. ~Glenda Albertson

Jesse never failed to see the good in people

Jesse always could make me laugh and was such a good man who never failed to see the good in people. My prayers and condolences. ~David Youmans

Enjoy many happy memories

Melana, Tim, Sarah, and Emily,
While I never met Jesse, he sounds like a wonderful man, and I know he was a cherished member of your family. I am so sorry for your loss and I pray you enjoy many happy memories of Jesse and your times together. ~Adrienne Hudson - Jasper, TN. Friend of Melana's

My prayers are with you

Hoping God's love surrounds you today and all the days to follow--my prayers are with your family. ~Margie Elkins

Trust God's mercy and His mysterious plan

My condolences to the wife and family of this young man.  I often pray for the comfort of the dying.  When someone has died, I commend them to the loving mercy of God.  In the face of such a loss, we can find some consolation in trusting God's loving mercy and mysterious plan.  The psalmist says it well:  "I am sure i shall see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living.  Hope in him; hold firm and take heart.  Hope in the Lord."  (Ps 27:13-4)

~Fr Charles Cummings, OCSO, friend and spiritual director of Tim's

I'll miss the great conversations

I'll miss the great conversations about movies and comics and the shows that you and Sarah watched :( Sarah you're in my thoughts and prayers as well as your family) ~Laura Turner

Thinking of you, Sarah

Dear Sarah,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It is so hard to lose someone so close to you. ~Dr. Jane Wohl, Sarah's college English teacher

We saw him blossom as your family nurtured him

Tim, Melana, Sarah, Emily and Family -- You have been and are in our prayers - still can't believe it. We have fond memories of Jesse -- the early days when he came to church with you all and seeing him blossom as your family nurtured and encouraged him; the wedding :) -- saying hi to him and Sarah at Wal-Mart, usually walking together at Wal-Mart. We love you all. ~Chuck and Judy Lucas, friends of the family, Chuck is our former pastor

We feel blessed to have known Jesse

We will not remember Jesse for what happened in the last few hours of his life-Jesse will be remembered in our hearts and minds as the man we watched stand at the alter as he watched the love of his life, Sarah walk down the aisle. We remember him as the man who always sat a few rows in front of us in church each week. He is remembered as the one who we always stopped to talk to at Wal-mart and who always took the time to stop and talk to us while he was working. We feel blessed to have know Jesse and our hearts are heavy with pain and grief for each of you! ~Tony and Gretchen Danforth

Trumpeting some prayers

Wish I could be there:(...sending prayers for the entire family. ~Jeff Grimes, friend from the symphony

To Sarah, from Emily

Sarah i know that i almost never say it, but i love u so much. we were never rly close as little kids (me anyways) but as hard as it is for me to see u like this... I think this is going to strengthen our relationship as sisters. I'll always be here for u, anytime, anywhere, any day. I love you and i hate to see u cry.  I love you, and never forget that. Ur my best friend and nobody can change that. Ur beautiful and perfect in every way to me. I love u♥ ~Emily, 13, our daughter, Sarah's sister, Jesse's biggest fan

Prayed all night

I am so sorry-been praying all night for you guys! We love you all so much!! ~Gretchen Danforth, friend of the family

Our prayers are with you

Our prayers are with your family Tim. ~Mike McGowen, aka The Puker, friend of the family and co-worker with Sarah and Jesse at Walmart

Love you guys!

Hey uncle tim I'm sorry to hear of your loss. My dad called me thus morning and told me what happened. Love you guys! ~Michael Lachelt, Melana and Tim's nephew

Wish I knew what to say

God grant His grace to you & your family. I wish I knew what to say--I'm at a loss for words. You're in my prayers. ~Ariel Downing, friend of Tim's since college, Emily's godmother

A kind thought from a former colleague

Tim, I am so sorry to hear about what happened to your son in law. My thoughts are with you and your family. ~Yvonne Perry, the best boss Tim has ever had

In my thoughts

You continue in my thoughts Tim. Please tell Melana she is in my prayers as well. ~Marty Wright, a fun guy we have known forever

God's embrace of love and light

Some friends of mine woke up one morning this week to what seemed complete darkness. The light had been extinguished and they have been encased in despair. Fortunately for us, that is not the truth. God is in control. He will continue to conquer evil as He did the day He walked out of that tomb to embrace us in love and light. ~Nancy Cramer Veronda Nelson, friend of Tim's from high school

God's presence and peace to you

Tim and Family,

There are so few words that can be said in the face of tragedy that don't sound hollow but the truth is words are what we have. No one can understand how you feel and the immense shock and loss...words can't capture anywhere near the sea of emotions you are on.

Lest I be in danger of transgression of my own advice I do pray for a surreal sense of God's presence and peace.

You are all loved as was Jesse. ~Duncan, friend of Tim's from college

Loved talking to him about TV and movies

Sarah, You and everyone in Jesse's family are in our thoughts and prayers. Jesse is in God's loving hands now and I hope he is at peace! We loved talking to him at Wallys about movies and tv shows...what a great young man he was!!! He will be greatly missed!!! ~Dane and Kim Ashley

I loved the way you treated each other

We joke and played around at work, you were a sweet couple and I loved the way you treated each other. The love was always there.I will miss the you both coming pass me. Jehovah knows what's in his heart and that will be what gets him by and he will help you thru this time too. Remember he is at rest.
Sarah take care, If you need any thing you know where to find me. ~Jayne, co-worker with Sarah and Jesse at Walmart

Keeping you covered in prayer

Tim, Melana, Sarah & Emily....We are so very sorry for your loss. Please know we'll be keeping you covered in prayer. We know how much you all loved Jesse. We send you our love & prayers for God's loving comfort. ~Frank and Shirley Voler, friends of the family

I know you loved Sarah with all your heart

Jesse, I loved your sweet smile and you showed your love to me when you came into the family. i know you loved Sarah with all your heart and she will have that memory forever. You are in the arms of the Savior. ~Dixie Cummings, Tim's mom

Sorry for your loss

I just heard the news. Larry and Joy emailed it to me. I am so very sorry for your loss. If I my family can do anything to help you, please let me know. ~James Cummings, Tim's cousin

Thinking of you and your family

I know this is a horrible time for you and your family.
I just want you to know that you all remain in my thoughts and prayers.
~Denise, friend of Tim's at work.

I miss him

He was such a great person to connect with and joke around with. I miss him. a lot. ~sweetarse

Such a tragedy

Such a tragedy, a life cut short, a long time for the living to heal, and hearts hurting so much. Prayers going for family and his young widow. I never met Jesse, but I know he had to have been a good man for Tim to speak so highly of him. Please be sure to take care of yourselves in this very difficult time. ~Patrick

Allow the Good Shepherd to guide you

You will get through this Tim as you cling to your Savior. I know this is cliche but Psalm 23 is so powerful in times like this. Allow the Good Shepherd to lead and guide you to the places of rest and restoration that your soul needs. You will get through this as you allow Christ to take any bitterness or resentment from you - forgiveness is key. You will get through this because you know Jesus! ~ Rev. Garth Crundwell, college friend of Tim's

Prayer from a friend

Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen. ~ David Anderson, friend of Tim's

How will we ever get through this?

Together.