A loving Memoir of a very dear friend who passed a way this morning at 4:30 AM cst.

I lost a very dear and close friend this morning at 4:30 AM central standard time. His name was John Richard David Werdell. We had known each other for 22 years and met when I was nearly 24 and he had just turned 29 years old.

I had come from Alabama to be married to another man, Robert Hettinger. However, he decided that he did not want me anymore, despite the fact, I had stuck by him thick and thin while he was in prison in Richmond, Virigina.

I went to Alabama to have my baby, Rebecca, in summer of 1978, and in December she was born. She will soon turn 24.

We were first friends, and then fell in love. We had planned to be married twice, but due to our health problems and both being on social security. We came to the conclusion that it would not be in either of our best interest lose any of our benefits and accept less benefits than we were receiving.

The one thing we did do, is remain constant, close, friends. All ways being there for each other and always loving each other.

I was there for John when his dad passed away in 1987 and his brother in 1991. He has been there for me all a long and been very supportive and all.

In 1997, John lost his lower limb due to his diabetes. He was placed into Sherwin Manor Nursing Center in May of 1997, for the first couple of years 97-99 was doing very well. Then beginning in 2000 he had been in and out of the hospital. I am the first one he would call once he was admitted in to the hospital.

Shortly before Halloween of 2002, John was told he did not have long to live with him receiving a kidney transplant. His diabetes had destroyed his kidneys and all. They sugguested he go into a hospice and all, because his doctors knew he did not have long to live.

His doctors placed him into Kindred-Chicago, a chronic care facility for the terminally ill. That was two weeks ago on Thursday.

Last Friday, he talked to Robert and me over the phone and told us he was getting better. Well on Saturday, Robert and I went to see him. He was telling me he was cold. At that time his kidneys were barely functioning.

Late on Sunday night they placed him into ICU and he was comatose. I went to see him yesterday and Father Jackson administered the sacarment for the sick and dying.

This morning at 4:30 AM he died peacefully. His heart stopped beating and he is now in the present of our Lord and Savior.

When everyone else abandoned him due to his disablity I did not. He was always there for me and I was there for him until the end. I love you John, I will never forget you.

John Richard David Werdell, Born March 1, 1950 and died December 3, 2002. Now In The Presence of Our Savior.