April 14, 2004
 

Michael Cohen 49, Brownsburg, died April 12, 2004. He was a national account rep. at Nextel for 4 years. Michael was a member of Traders Point Christian Church, board member of the Brownsburg Boys Basketball League, and spotter for NASCAR driver Randy MacDonald and his #72 Craftsman Truck Motor Sports Team.

Services: 1 p.m. Friday, April 16 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg with calling from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 15. Burial: Brownsburg Cemetery.

Survivors:

• wife, Laura; sons, Nick (16) and Ryan (11); daughter, Lauren (8);
• parents, Leo and Eldora Cohen;
• sisters, Cheryl Cohen Cotten and Lisa Weaver; brothers, Jack, Steve and Greg; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to:
Finish A Winner Ministries in care of
Traders Point Christian Church
7860 Lafayette Road
Indianapolis, IN 46278
(317)291.7429  www.tpcc.org

If Mike were able to talk to us today, I think the first think he would say is, "I'm Sorry. I made a mistake." And the next thing he would want you to know is that God Loves You!

-Randy MacDonald #72 at Mike's funeral 4/16/04

Hundred's of people turned out for Mike's funeral today; there were about as many folks in the overflow as in the main chapel.  The circumstances of his death--carbon monoxide poisoning--were dealt with VERY openly and candidly. Everyone spoke of his steadfast love for his family, and they for him, including a courageous and incredibly emotional testimony by Mike's 16 year-old son, Nick.

The shock of his suicide was made even more confusing by his recent acceptance of Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and his obedience into baptism on February 1 of this year. He and Laura had been in a small group Bible study with one of the Traders Point ministers for the past year, and they had just finished studying the "40 Days of Purpose" book by Rick Warren.

Mike had been wrestling with some of life's issues recently, according to one of the members of his small Bible study group, but no one had any idea that his burdens were so heavy.

Acknowledging the Jewish heritage of the Cohen family, his sister Lisa concluded her prepared remarks with, "Laheim and Shalom, Mike. May your travels be pleasant."

Trader's Point minister Bob Smith addressed Mike's suicide directly. "I know there are churches that believe this is the ultimate, unforgivable sin, but I just don't find that taught anywhere in the Bible... I know Mike loved the Lord, and I know the Lord loves Mike, and I am thankful that God's mercy and grace will decide where Mike spends eternity--just as it will for all of us. And I believe with all my heart that Mike is with God in heaven today."

Pleasant travels, indeed!
JSam 4/16/04