Melinda Kinsaul
Melinda Ann Kinsaul, of Wildwood, MO, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday August 6th of 2012 after a 2 and 1/2 year battle with cancer. Melinda’s fearless faith in God gave her a peace that surpasses all understanding and instead of asking “why” she had cancer, she asked “how” she could use it to help others. During her battle with cancer she had many opportunities to encourage others facing cancer or other serious illness and share with them the good news of God’s love for them.
Melinda was born on November 10, 1961, the youngest of four children, to Daniel W. and Roberta Whetzel Carson in Parsons, Kansas. She is survived by her husband, Russell Kinsaul of Wildwood, MO, her daughter, Brooke and son, Luke, both of Wildwood, MO. She is also survived by her mother, Roberta Carson of Parsons, KS and her brothers, Russell Carson and Daryl Carson, both of Parsons, KS and Rodney Carson of Joplin, MO. She was preceded in death by her father, Daniel Carson.
Melinda was a cheerleader, played tennis and was voted homecoming queen at Parsons High School where she graduated in 1980. She also received a BA degree from Pittsburgh State University in Pittsburgh, Kansas. Melinda married Russell on January 21, 1989 on top of Taos Ski Mountain, in New Mexico. Melinda enjoyed a career in public relations and marketing before she “retired” to focus her time and attention on raising her children, whom are a wonderful reflection of her intelligence, sense of humor and caring heart. Melinda was also committed to volunteering at church and in her community. She always had a way of calming the crying toddlers in the church nursery and setting new records for school and community fundraisers.
A funeral service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday at The Crossing Church at Chesterfield, located at 114 N. Eatherton Road, in Chesterfield, MO 63005 near the Spirit of St. Louis Airport.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Melinda may be made to Friends of Kids with Cancer, 530 Maryville Center Drive, Suite LL5, St. Louis, MO 63141.
Melinda was a source of inspiration and strength to me and my family. We are so blessed to have had her in our lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell, Brooke, and Luke.
Russell,
We are so sad to hear about Melinda’s passing. We hope her memory will be a blessing for you and your kids. We’re thinking of you all.
Mark and Teresa Schnyder
I will miss our conversations while walking the dogs. Melinda was always cheerful and encouraging. May Gods love support and comfort the three of you whom she loved very much. Russell, Brooke, and Luke you were the center of Melinda’s life and thoughts.
Melinda was such a blessing in my life and her friendship will leave an amazing imprint on my heart forever. She was such an incredible source of positive energy, loved her family and the Lord so much. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Russell, Brooke and Luke. May the Lord bless you and keep you at this difficult time.
We are so sad to hear of Melinda’s passing. What a beautiful spirit she was on this earth, and we will miss her. Her generous and compassionate soul shone brighter than the brightest of stars, and will continue to shine in the hearts of those who love her. She had a knack for saying just the right thing to soothe and comfort. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Russ, Brooke. Luke, and the rest of her family.
Laurel and Jeff Gaw
I call Melinda my “original best friend.” I knew her for my entire life and shared so many memories (and a little mischeif) with her through the years. I’ve had many other friends come through my life, but none could ever replace the spot that she has held for such a long time. She made the world a better place and she made me a better person. We were best friends in middle school, high school and even lived together for a time in college. Although we drifted apart geographically, we came back together for a time and any time we were back together it was as if we had never been apart. She always oozed with pride for her wonderful family whom I know will continue her legacy. I love you Melinda…an original in so many ways!!
Melinda and I attended High School together. I will always remember her beautiful smile and how she always took care of everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My deepest sympathy in the loss of your wife and mother. Melinda and I were college room mates and we shared alot of movements filled with fun and laughter in our young adult hood. I will never forget her laugh. It was contagious! It is hard to believe that she is no longer with us, but I know she has gone on to a better place. My her memories be seen in the faces of your children whom I know she loved dearly!
What Hope for Dead Loved Ones?
“If a man die, shall he live again?” asked the man Job long ago. (Job 14:14, King James Version) Perhaps you, too, have wondered about this. How would you feel if you knew that a reunion with your loved ones was possible right here on earth under the best of conditions?
Well, the Bible makes the promise: “Your dead ones will live. . . . They will rise up.” And the Bible also says: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”—Isaiah 26:19; Psalm 37:29.
To have real confidence in such promises, we need to answer some basic questions: Why do people die? Where are the dead? And how can we be sure they can live again?
Death, and What Happens When We Die
The Bible makes it clear that God did not originally intend for humans to die. He created the first human pair Adam and Eve, placed them in an earthly paradise called Eden, and instructed them to have children and extend their Paradise home earth wide. They would die only if they disobeyed his instructions.—Genesis 1:28; 2:15-17.
Lacking appreciation for God’s kindness, Adam and Eve did disobey and were made to pay the prescribed penalty. “You [will] return to the ground,” God told Adam, “for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19) Before his creation Adam did not exist; he was dust. And for his disobedience, or sin, Adam was sentenced to return to dust, to a state of nonexistence.
Death is thus an absence of life. The Bible draws the contrast: “The wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life.” (Romans 6:23) Showing that death is a state of total unconsciousness, the Bible says: “For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5) When a person dies, the Bible explains: “His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.”—Psalm 146:3, 4.
However, since only Adam and Eve disobeyed that command in Eden, why do we all die? It is because all of us were born after Adam’s disobedience, and so we all inherited sin and death from him. As the Bible explains: “Through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men.”—Romans 5:12; Job 14:4.
Yet someone may ask: ‘Don’t humans have an immortal soul that survives death?’ Many have taught this, even saying that death is a doorway to another life. But that idea does not come from the Bible. Rather, God’s Word teaches that you are a soul, that your soul is really you, with all your physical and mental qualities. (Genesis 2:7; Jeremiah 2:34; Proverbs 2:10) Also, the Bible says: “The soul that is sinning—it itself will die.” (Ezekiel 18:4) Nowhere does the Bible teach that man has an immortal soul that survives the death of the body.
How Humans Can Live Again
After sin and death entered the world, God revealed that it was his purpose that the dead be restored to life by means of a resurrection. Thus the Bible explains: “Abraham . . . reckoned that God was able to raise [his son Isaac] up even from the dead.” (Hebrews 11:17-19) Abraham’s confidence was not misplaced, for the Bible says of the Almighty: “He is a God, not of the dead, but of the living, for they are all living to him.”—Luke 20:37, 38.
Yes, Almighty God has not only the power but also the desire to resurrect persons whom he chooses. Jesus Christ himself said: “Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.”—John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15.
Not long after saying this, Jesus met a funeral procession coming out of the Israelite city of Nain. The dead young man was the only child of a widow. On seeing her extreme grief, Jesus was moved with pity. So, addressing the corpse, he commanded: “Young man, I say to you, Get up!” And the man sat up, and Jesus gave him to his mother.—Luke 7:11-17.
As in the case of that widow, there was also great ecstasy when Jesus visited the home of Jairus, a presiding officer of the Jewish synagogue. His 12-year-old daughter had died. But when Jesus arrived at Jairus’ home, he went over to the dead child and said: “Girl, get up!” And she did!—Luke 8:40-56.
Later, Jesus’ friend Lazarus died. When Jesus arrived at his home, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Although deeply grieved, his sister Martha expressed hope, saying: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” But Jesus went to the tomb, ordered the stone to be removed, and called: “Lazarus, come on out!” And he did!—John 11:11-44.
Now think about this: What was Lazarus’ condition during those four days he was dead? Lazarus did not say anything about being in a heaven of bliss or a hell of torment, which surely he would have done if he had been there. No, Lazarus was completely unconscious in death and would have remained so until “the resurrection on the last day” if Jesus had not then restored him to life.
It is true that these miracles of Jesus were of only temporary benefit, since those that he resurrected died again. However, he gave proof 1,900 years ago that, with God’s power, the dead really can live again! So by his miracles Jesus showed on a small scale what will take place on earth under the Kingdom of God.
When a Loved One Dies
When the enemy death strikes, your grief can be great, even though you may hope in the resurrection. Abraham had faith his wife would live again, yet we read that “Abraham came in to bewail Sarah and to weep over her.” (Genesis 23:2) And what about Jesus? When Lazarus died, he “groaned in the spirit and became troubled,” and shortly afterward he “gave way to tears.” (John 11:33, 35) So, when someone you love dies, it does not show weakness to cry.
When a child dies, it is particularly hard for the mother. Thus the Bible acknowledges the bitter grief that a mother can feel. (2 Kings 4:27) Of course, it is difficult for the bereaved father as well. “O that I might have died, I myself, instead of you,” lamented King David when his son Absalom died.—2 Samuel 18:33.
Yet, because you have confidence in the resurrection, your sorrow will not be unrelenting. As the Bible says, you will “not sorrow just as the rest also do who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13) Rather, you will draw close to God in prayer, and the Bible promises that “he himself will sustain you.”—Psalm 55:22.
If you have any questions, you can contact me at: ricruiz@aol.com We can look for the answers looking the Scriptures in your own Bible.
Sincerely:
With Heartfelt Sympathy from the Lenexa KS comma ity
Dear Kinsaul Family,
Melinda and I shared many conversations over the years while volunteering at school and on a couple special private lunch dates. She always spoke of how much she loved her family and how proud she was of both Brooke and Luke. Her faith guided her every step. She was a beautiful woman, both inside and out. I will miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Russell, Brooke and Luke, I was so sorry to hear about your mother. She was such a fun, carring, beautiful person. She loved all of you so much. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Russell,Brooke and Luke,
I was so sad to hear about Melinda passing. I have sweet memories of Corinth grade school, long walks and talks and prayer. She was a very special woman, friend and mother. Our family sends love and sympathy.
The Durie family Leawood
To Russell, Brooke, Luke – my most sincere condolences on your unimaginable loss. Melinda will certainly be remembered fondly by many (like me) who knew her briefly and long ago, but can still vividly recall her warmth and sweetness.
Dear Russell,
I just recently heard about Melinda. I am so sorry but we all know where she is now and Who she is with. In fact, many of our conversations, during games of course, were about the kids and/or church, beliefs, faith, God and Jesus. I valued these conversations greatly because we saw eye to eye on just about everything.
Because of Melinda’s undying love, faith and strength you and the kids will be fine. God bless you all and I have been blessed for knowing Melinda even for such a short time.
The Charlton family will continue to pray for you.
Mary
Russell, Brooke, and Luke, I was so surprised and saddened to hear about your loss. I remember Melinda as a compassionate, supportive parent who was so proud of Brooke and Luke. Her eyes sparkled whenever she spoke of them. Her love for her family and friends was unwavering. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
I knew Melinda from Cherre Orthodontics. She would bring her children in for their appointments. What a Lady! I loved talking to her about various topics but my favorite one was God. She was very knowledgeable about Scripture and the Bible. When she would leave I would think to myself, I want to be just like Melinda! Russell, Brooke and Luke may you find peace and comfort knowing Melinda is watching over you smiling. She has touched so many people in ways she didn’t even know!
Dear Russell, Brooke, and Luke
The Davis family is saddened to hear of your tremendous loss. We remember bringing Ben over to the house to play with Luke, and their time together playing sports at Corinth. Luke was the kind and gentle reflection of the love he received from his parents. Melinda was a vivacious and warm person.
We are thinking of you throughout this difficult time.
Laura, Gard, and Ben Davis Prairie Village