It Is Amazing What A College Education Will Buy

by messenger 3 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  messenger

  Well it appears a good education will get you a nice "Witness" funeral. Did you notice what his favorite activities were? What! No preaching work? Now if he was not a Witness how does he rate a Kingdom Hall funeral?

  Robert D. Hoien, Bloomfield Hills businessman

  By The Detroit News

  Comment on this story
  Send this story to a friend
  Get Home Delivery
  
  BLOOMFIELD HILLS -- A memorial service will be held today for Robert D. Hoien, vice-president of manufacturing for Peterson/American Corp. in Southfield.
  Mr. Hoien died Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001, of lung cancer at his home in Bloomfield Hills. He was 61.
  Born in Twin Valley, Minn., Mr. Hoien grew up in West Seattle, Wash. In 1961, he received a bachelor of arts degree in administration from Washington State University, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He also earned a master's of business administration in 1986 from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
  His resume included work at the Phoenix Corp. in Farmington Hills and Cadillac Products in Troy.
  In his free time, he enjoyed golfing and skiing.
  Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Carole; children C.J. Hoien and Andy, Tony, Tim and April Armstrong; mother Janet; siblings John and Rosalie and 10 grandchildren.
  Services will be at 5 p.m. today at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 21950 W. 14 Mile, Beverly Hills.
  Memorial donations may be made to the Karmanos Cancer Institute, 24601 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield, Mich. 48075.
• 

  Prisca

  Nothing indicates that he wasn't a JW. He could well have done all those things and still be a JW. Remember, if the tribute to Mr Hoien was written by a reporter, the reporter may not have been interested in any JW activity that he may have been involved in.

  Also, his wife could have been a JW, even if he wasn't, and out of respect for her, and particularly if he'd shown some interest or kindness towards the witnesses the local elders may have consented to allowing his memorial to he held at the KH.

  Methinks there's a little jealousy, messenger?
• 

  Cassiline

  This is my take on it.

  This is an Obituary. A family member usually writes the obit. Perhaps the wife was NOT a JW and was not inclined to report any JW involvement. Perhaps his children or mother were, and there wishes were for a JW funeral.

  Maybe he became a JW after 1986..... Who knows? Why am I speculating. The man is dead.

  C

  When the pain of being where we are, becomes greater than our fear of letting go...we will risk and heal and grow.
• 

  messenger

  JW's typically do not allow memorial services for non members in a Kingdom Hall. They will use the funeral home and preach the sermon but the use of a Kingdom Hall is a different matter. Use of a Kingdom Hall has to be approved by the body of elders and it is seldom they will agree for a non witness to use JW buildings.

  Perhaps if the man were studying and just about to be baptized could be one senario. Another might be if his widow, a faithful sister, was destitute and could not afford a funeral home. I do not think that applies here, which leads me to the last reason an unbeliever may use a Kingdom Hall. He was wealthy and the Kingdom Hall was getting some kind of cut.