Lynn R. Athearn

UNION, MAINE - Lynn Athearn 69, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on September 19, 2021.
He leaves behind his wife of 10 years Catherine Athearn and her Son Chris and wife Sarah granddaughters Madison and Sophia, daughter Theresa. He was predeceased by his daughter Lynette, his father Oliver, mother Ann, brothers Loren and Ray, and a nephew Aaron.
Lynn grew up in Union and lived and worked there until he was 16 years old. He then went to Florida where he met his first wife and where his daughter Lynette was born. Lynn was drawn back to his home to help in the family vending business where he was a route driver and did deliveries of the soda and vending machines. It was this job that got him out too many places around the state, and many businesses where he met people and made lasting impressions on them. It was this job that allowed him to learn the back streets of many different towns and he retained the directions and location of these many places, almost like he had a map in his head.
Lynn also worked out at Bay Area Fitness where he developed an interest in power lifting and became an athletic trainer in the gym for both men and women. He competed in many powerlifting events and won several contests in his age group. He held the State powerlifting record for his age group. He was training to go to the world championship for powerlifting when his daughter died, and he lost his desire to compete and thus retired from that sport. He did continue to work out and helped to set up events. He even arranged for an event at the Union fair grounds dedicated to his daughter Lynnette.
Lynn was also into politics and became the leader of the Union Tea Party group. He set up many events, joined the campaign for Paul Lepage for Governor and went to the Republican convention where he became a delegate for Union. He was invited to the Blaine House by Governor Lepage and his wife.
It was then that Lynn married Cathy and decided he needed a full-time job so he went to work for the transfer station in Warren. He really enjoyed the job meeting all sorts of people and used his organization skills to clean up the transfer station office and was a constant shining light there. People would look for him when they came to drop of their trash. David his fellow worker was glad to have him there especially when it came to loading big televisions into the trailers. David always knew he could count on Lynn to be there early and to always keep the place clean.Lynn was then led to South Hope Community Church. When they needed someone to be caretaker of that facility, he took that job on and gave 200% of his time to be sure that he made it look the best it could as he said it was all for his Lord and Savior. He started doing just the basic cleaning and then picked up doing the floor in the gym as well as maintaining the lawn.
Lynn helped many people in the church when they were in need without thinking of anything in return; it was just his way. While at South Hope he and his wife met Don and Linda Champion and they had a ministry in Myanmar (Burma) where they worked with Brother Timothy. Brother Timothy led a college for the locals who wanted to learn the necessary skills to preach the gospel. Lynn sponsored two students and helped pay their tuition for the 3 years. There were many other needs for Myanmar and Lynn lent a hand to the needs of those people through Timothy.
Lynn heard a preacher one day on the television called Dr. Ruckman and his preaching opened up his eyes and made him see that he needed to do more for the Lord, so he started to seek out those who would show him how to do that. He realized that he had concentrated his time on the wrong things and decided he needed to be serving the Lord more. That is when he visited For His Glory Bible Baptist Church in Union, and he knew this is where the Lord was leading him. He started attending there and began to work in the ministries of that fellowship. He would go to the nursing home to sing and comfort those there; he went out on the street and witnessed to those traveling by. He handed out tracts and put magnetic signs on his truck so to shine God's light to others. He made up signs which he put on his lawn to show his love for God and to try and reach others as they went by.
It seemed that no matter where Lynn went, he always ran into someone that he knew. They would start talking to each other just like they had been friends for years. It always amazed me how many people were drawn to him. One day Lynn got a call from a woman that he had met through the transfer station and Lynn had told her that if she ever needing anything to let him know and he would gladly help her. Well, this Lady called and asked him if he could help her with her garden and so he went and helped her. (It had been 3 years since he had spoken to this woman) This would happen many times and he would go and help even if it did not fit into his schedule, he made sure to do it. He always told the people when they thanked him, not to thank him but to thank the Lord for it was He that allowed him to do all these things. God was to get the glory not him.
He was a very special man and a great servant for the Lord who will be greatly missed by all that knew him. I love him with all my heart and pray for all those that knew him, but do not know the Lord.
Remember you never know what tomorrow may bring so if you have the opportunity to hear the gospel and you are asked if you are sinner remember we all are, we just need to come before the Lord and ask for forgiveness and acknowledge that God is the one and only way to heaven and that you believe in him and want to be saved.
A celebration of Lynn's life will be held at 12:00 PM, Thursday, September 30th, at For His Glory Bible Baptist Church, 92 Butler Road, Union. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the mission or ministry of one's choice. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.2d:{"d