Nine-year-old Noah Smith represents at least the fourth generation in a long line of fishermen and the first among them to catch a gar.

But he earned more than just family bragging rights when he landed the 3.17-pound, 29 3/16-inch spotted gar June 30 from Crooked Lake in Steuben County. He earned a spot in the state record books.

“It feels awesome,” said Smith, who is from Delaware, Ohio.

Smith’s catch was not particularly large for its species. Spotted gar can grow up to 6 pounds. But his entry came at an opportune time. The Indiana Record Fish Program just recently began recognizing the different species within the gar family. In the past, the program grouped shortnose gar, spotted gar, and the much larger longnose gar into the same category.

Smith’s entry was the first submission for a spotted gar. On Aug. 17, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources sent Smith a letter certifying his record fish. How long the record will stand is unclear, but the family plans to enjoy it while it lasts.

“Nobody in our family has ever caught a gar period,” Noah’s father, Ryan Smith, said. “To catch that one and catch a state record is pretty cool.”

Smith baited his hook with a minnow and tied his fishing rod to a dock, letting it stay there overnight. When he woke up the next morning, he reeled in the fish.

He plans on mounting the fish on the wall in his bedroom.

Thought I would post my memorial service notes from my mother-in-law’s service.

Today we gather to remember and celebrate the life of Karen “Chucks” Smith. Each of us referred to her as one of the following:
* Mom * Sister * Friend * but for many of us, Chucks

She was my Mother-in-law and I was proud to have her call me “son”. I have so many great memories of Chucks, I would like to share a few:

*  She would often write me letters in college encouraging me and giving me insights into who Anna really was.

*  One time she actually called me and it wasn’t good.  We both laughed about that call for a long time.

*  But my favorite memories are the ones of watching her with my kids.  She was an amazing grandma who ALWAYS had a surprise, usually candy, every time the kids saw her.

*  This past Christmas has to be my favorite.  We had the wonderful opportunity of having her spend the night on Christmas Eve.  We hauled in her oxygen machine and she slept on the couch and seeing her face Christmas morning as Isaac, Noah, and Emma opened up their gifts from both Santa Claus and her we like watching a child themselves on Christmas morning.

***Ask for other volunteers to share memories***

Transition: When dealing with death I often go back to John 19:30, the moment before Jesus himself experienced death. John 19:30 “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
“It is finished” . . . 3 little words that if taken at face value may have little hope for some.
* It is finished, it is over, done…how can there be hope in that?
Thankfully on our side of the New Testament we know what took place there and when Christ said “It is finished”, the message meant so much more than the end of a life.

Jesus calling out “It is finished” didn’t mean death was the end, it meant that nothing more was needed to be done by anyone at anytime to receive the gift of salvation, forgiveness and eternal life.
Because of what Christ did for us on that cross we have a say so in our eternity.
We can determine what happens after our own deaths if we choose Christ now and in doing so choose life.

Read John 20:31, ^“But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.”

In the same way you know your name, you know where you live, and know where you are today…you can know that you have eternal life.
And all it takes on our behalf is faith, faith that saves when we call upon the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

Right now as we say our final goodbye to Chucks on this side of eternity . . . I encourage you to have faith.
God is a good God, a merciful God and a gracious God…and all of this and more is available to anyone who seeks Him.

Conclusion:  At this time we are going to give you a moment to write a message for Chucks on a balloon.  My kids, every time they have a balloon, will let it go and send it up to Grandpa Crawford.  Now they have been sending balloons up to him and Chucks.  Before we do that, I encourage you to write a note and after we are all done we will send them together and then close in prayer.

Close with a prayer of committal.

It was a hard but beautiful time, spent with family and friends.

Karen Louise ‘Chucks’ Smith