"A million words can’t bring you back --
I know because I've tried, 
nor a million tears -- I know because I've cried...."



This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Cody Michael Wingler who was born in Indiana on October 02, 1989 and passed away on September 23, 2005 at the age of 15. We will remember and miss him forever.  He touched the lives of all those he knew. Remember Cody for who he was, not for how he died...He was loved by all, and he loved all.  Please cherish the memories you have of Cody, and always hold them close to your heart.  
Please feel free to add any stories, pictures,  or special memories you have of Cody.  Don't forget to light a candle in his memory before you leave.....


It's the Music That Bonds the Soul

The room you once lived in
Doesn't look the same.
The people who used to call you
Never mention your name
The car you used to drive
They may not make anymore;
And all the things you treasured
Are boxed behind closed doors.
The clothes you set the trends by
Are surely out of date.
The people you owed money to
Have wiped away the slate.
Things have changed and changed
Since you went away.
But some things remain the same
Each and every day.
Like the aching in my heart”
A scar that just won't heal.
Or the way a special song
Can change the way I feel.
Brother, you must know that the music
Bonds us and will keep us close;
Because secretly I know in my heart
It's the music you miss the most.
So let the world keep turning,
Time can take its toll.
As long as the music is playing
You'll be dancing in my soul.
--Stacey Gilliam


A LETTER FROM HEAVEN

To my dearest family,
some things I'd like to say.
But first of all, to let you know,
that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from Heaven.
Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness;
here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy
just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you
every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you
when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me
and said, "I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again,
you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family,
they'll be here later on.
There's so much that we have to do,
to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things,
that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list,
was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night,
the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you...
in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth,
and all those loving years,
Because you are only human,
they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry:
it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers,
unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you
all that God has planned.
If I was to tell you ,
you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain,
through my life on earth is over.
I'm closer to you now,
than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you
and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it
by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy
and I'd like it for you too;
that as you give unto the world,
the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody
who's in sorrow and in pain;
Then you can say to God at night....
"my day was not in vain."
And now I am contented... .
that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way
I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody
who is sad and feeling low;
Just lend a hand to pick him up,
as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street
and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps
only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go....
from that body to be free.
Remember you're not going...
you're coming here to me. 
--by: Ruth Ann Mahaffey





           





             
                 











                




                                  
  
"I am home in heaven, dear ones; Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light. All the pain and grief are over, every restless tossing passed. I am now at peace forever. I am safely home at last. . . And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.-- Psalms  23:6   

                                                                   

His Smile...

Though his smile is gone forever,
and his hand I can not touch.
I  have so many memories
of the one I loved so much.
His memory is my keepsake with
which I'll never part,
God has him in his keeping,
I have him in my heart...     
--Author Unknown




        


UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

Each morning when I awake, 
I know that you are gone.
And no one knows the heartache
As I try to carry on.
My hearts still aches with sadness
and many tears still flow.
What it meant to lose you,
No one will ever know.
My thoughts are always with you,
your place no one can fill.
In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
There will always be a heartache,
and often a silent tear,
But always a precious memory
Of the days when you were here.
If tears could build a staircase,
And heartaches make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven
And bring you home again. 
I hold you close within my heart,
And there you will remain, 
To walk with me throughout my life
Until we meet again.
Our family chain is broken now,
And nothing is the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.
--by Unknown






This is the picture on the front of Cody's stone.  Thanks to Fewell Monument, he FINALLY has the headstone that he deserves.  Ryan and I chose this picture, because Stairway to Heaven was one of the first songs
Cody learned to play on the guitar.  If we had a quarter for everytime we heard this song,  we would be millionaires!  I would give everything to be able to hear him play this song, or any song again....

(front)


(back)




Please light a candle in memory of Cody & David before you leave...though they are gone, they will forever be in our hearts, and NEVER be forgotten.




REMEMBER ME

To the living, I am gone.
To the sorrowful, I will never return.
To the angry, they were cheated.
               But to the joyful, I am at peace.                
And to the faithful, I never left.
I cannot speak, but I can listen.
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.
So as you stand upon a shore,
Gazing at a beautiful sea….
REMEMBER ME
As you look in awe at a mighty
Forest and its grand majesty,
REMEMBER ME
As you look upon a flower and
Admire its simplicity…
REMEMBER ME
Remember me in your heart,
Your thoughts,
Remember the close, loving times
We shared;
The times we quarreled;
And, the times we laughed.
For in these times that you gently remember me
……I am not gone.
--Author Unknown



I'M HERE
I cannot ease your aching heart,
Nor take the pain away,
But let me stay and take your hand
And walk with you today.
I’ll listen if you need to talk;
I’ll wipe away your tears.
I’ll share your worries when they come;
I’ll help you face your fears.
I’m here and I will stand by you,
Each hill you have to climb,
So take my hand, let’s face the work;
Live one day at a time;
Your’re not alone, for I’m still here.
I’ll go that extra mile,
And when your grief is easier,
I’ll help you learn to smile. 
--by Jeanne Losey



Who You'd Be Today 

Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I Wear the pain like a heavy coat.
I feel you everywhere I go.
See your smile, I see your face.
I hear you laughing in the rain.
I still can't believe your gone.
 
It ain't fair you died to young,
Like a story that had just begun.
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you...
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowing, no one could ever take your place.
 
Sometimes I wonder, who you'd be today....
Would you see the world,
Would you chase your dreams,
Settle down with a family ,
I wonder what would you name your babies....
Someday's the sky's so blue,
I feel like I can talk to you ,
And I know it might sound crazy ...

It ain't fair you died to young,
Like a story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away...
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowing, no one could ever take your place...
 
Sometimes I wonder, who you'd be today....
Today Today Today Today Today Today 

Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
The only thing that gives me hope.
Is I know, I'll see you again someday...
Someday, someday ...........
--by Kenny Chesney

FOR THOSE I HAVE LEFT BEHIND

I have not gone far...I still see...
Those tears you shed...are for me...
I am not unhappy...I am not sad...
I just thank God...For all we had...
Now dry your eyes...And remember me...
For where I am...Was meant to be...
To you that I have left behind...
The love we've shared...Will always bind...
If a breeze should pass...Across your brow...
Remember from where it came...And how...
Until we meet again one day...
I've not gone far... I am just away.. 
-- By: Joanne T. Romano (2001)



                                    
                               

David M. Abell
March 4, 1989-June 15, 2006


David was one of Cody's best friends.  The week before he died, Cody called David to tell him he loved him like a brother and thanked him for being his friend.  David was a kind, polite, sweet boy, who was always fun to have around the house.  My heart and prayers go out to David's family and friends, and my undying love goes up to him and Cody.  You will be sadly missed by all who knew you.

                

 
He Only Took My Hand 
Last night while I was trying to sleep my son's voice I did hear.
I opened my eyes and looked around but he did not appear.
He said, "You've got to listen. You've got to understand;
God didn't take me from you, He only took my hand.
When I cried out in pain that night, the instant that I died,
He reached down and took my hand, and pulled me to his side.
He pulled me up and saved me, from the misery and pain.
My body so badly wounded I could never be the same.
My search is finally over now, I've found happiness within.
All the answers to empty dreams, and all I might have been.
I love you all and miss you so... please don't keep asking why.
My body's gone forever, but my spirit will never die!
So live until we meet again, and please try to understand
God didn't take me from you, He only took my hand. 
 ~Author Unknown




            BEST FRIENDS FOREVER...        







                   

...this is just a little thing i did on the 1 year anniversary while i was thinking about everything sitting in my speech class.... I love you little bro and not a day goes by that you aren't on my mind!
---- RY~NO
365 Days Ago
365 days ago... we were shootin guns out in the lawn, 365 days ago... makin late trips to K&E for you and Sean.
365 days ago... you were still here,
365 days ago... always willing to drink some beer,
365 days ago... to all the ladies a delight,
365 days ago... out in the shed late at night,
365 days ago... pickin' that guitar singin' a song,
365 days ago... is when it all went wrong,
365 days ago... still no one knows why,
365 days ago... the first time you made me cry.

                             

         

               

           

2008 Scholarship Winners
Due to the success of last year's, Poker Run, we were able to award a $250 scholarship at both Pekin and Salem, as well as the $1000 scholarship at West Washington this year. Thanks everyone! 

East Washington.................
Salem.............................
West Washington...........Cheyenne Poe

   

TODAY

Today it hurt like yesterday...
tomorrow will be the same
Only the day and date will change...
the rest will all remain.
When someone asks me how I am...
or what it is I do?
The answer to those questions are...
I wish I were with you.
There is no way to explain this pain...
or how it is I feel
I try to get up every day...
and somehow try to deal.
Although it seems as if I'm fine ...
I've learned how to just hide
I place a mask upon my face...
and keep it deep inside.
I cry when no one is around...
can't face what they might say
I have heard so many hurtful words...
I have felt so very betrayed.
They that think time heals everything.. .
but that just is not true
I know I will never heal...
being left here without you.
Each morning when I wake up...
the sorrow is still here
I wish this was some big mistake...
that I have lived for years.
All I have are pictures ...
and my many memories
That often are so very painful...
there's no way the pain to ease.
I long to have you back with me...
but know it won't come true
I will never have that life again...
that life with me and you.
--by Lyndie Sorenson