On Monday, January 24th, VCY team member Jeff Counard went to be with the Lord.
Jim Schneider shared on VCY Today some thoughts on Jeff:
“It is with some very sad news that we come today before our listeners as yesterday afternoon, January 24, 2022, one of our dear faithful staff members went home to be with the Lord. Jeff Counard worked hand in hand with Paul McClain, our facilities manager. Back in 2018, we had had an opening for someone to come alongside and assist Paul with just the many projects and facilities that needed tending to and upkeep and maintenance. Jeff was one who was very satisfied in the job he had been working for a manufacturer in Sheboygan. However, Jeff had sense that the Lord had something different for him.
He told me he didn’t want to be like Jonah and head the wrong way, but wanted to be obedient to God’s direction for his life. So he had applied for the position here at VCY. My earliest emails from Jeff were in August of 2018, where he said “I believe God expects me to step out in faith.” He went on to say “I’m amazed and humbled that I’m even considered worthy of serving VCY – I am a sinner saved by unmerited grace. I pray that he can walk in a fitting manner, for VCY is a bright light shining in a dark world. I appreciate the unwavering commitment to the Word and to properly interpreting it.”
He went on to share in yet in another email, later in August: “Jim, I informed my direct supervisor yesterday as to the decision. And I made it very clear to him that this is a decision prompted by the Lord.” He tried to make it abundantly clear this decision was not due to dissatisfaction and mentioned the name of his employer, that this would make a start date then in September of 2018 with us, “I know this is of the Lord. I’m looking forward to a new chapter in the story that God is writing in my life. I fully expect it to be rewarding and challenging in ways I cannot even imagine.”
Jeff did begin working for us in September 2018 and has been just a delight since day number one, he fit in very well with the staff and building relationships. Jeff was always amazed – I can’t tell you how many conversations I had with him – just amazed to see God at work and how he had opened the doors for new radio stations and how God provided for our needs. He was so blessed to see the the regular expansion going on at Trail Ridge Camp. It was a special blessing to him. As a matter of fact, he had a trip planned for Trail Ridge today to go and do some electrical work for the camp itself.
But yesterday while traveling with Paul McClain, Jeff had a medical emergency. And despite the efforts of Paul McClain, and then the police officers and emergency medical personnel, Jeff could not be revived but went home to be with the Lord. I can only imagine how amazed he was then to see his Savior face to face, as Paul indicated to us.
Jeff was not just a co-worker. He was indeed a friend. We certainly sorrow, but not as those who have no hope. And I spoke with Jeff’s wife, Beth, yesterday afternoon she had great peace knowing that Jeff was home safe with the Lord. And we ask that you be praying for Beth, be praying for their children, be praying for their loved ones. But Jeff Counard, who had faithfully served the ministry of VCY since 2018, went home to be with the Lord yesterday. Jeff had a great love for the Lord. He had a great love for his wife, a great love for his family. He had a great love for his pastor, a great love for his church in Sheboygan. He had a love for VCY, the rallies, the shareathons, and the opportunities to minister. But today, Jeff Counard is home with His Lord. And we will sorely miss Jeff but look forward to the day when we are rejoined with him, once again in heaven, and we just ask our listeners to be praying for the Counard family here at this time.
From the obituary: Jeff Counard was born on November 5, 1960 and went home to be with his Lord on Monday, January 24, 2022. He was united in marriage with Beth Faber/Stoffel on September 14, 1991 in Hartford, WI. During his working years, he was employed by various companies in a maintenance capacity and the last three years at VCY America where he absolutely loved working. Jeff enjoyed deer hunting in Florence County, camping on the shores of Lake Superior, cooking and more than anything, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and family. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix and he made a positive impact on anyone and everyone that he met….
