In the opening scene, Bud (Tom Patterson) reacts to his wife reading aloud, a letter from his sister. The stress will prove to be too much.

The Moon Theater Company’s latest production “Dearly Departed,” opened last night to uproarious laughter. In a great bit of type casting, Tom Patterson has a non-speaking role as Bud, who quickly becomes the  “Dearly Departed.” There will be a series of  celebrity “dearly departing” guest Buds throughout the run of the show: Saturday, Nov. 5, Rick Padden; Sunday, Nov. 6, Don Kraus; Friday, Nov. 11, Leonard Sherman; Saturday, Nov. 12, Rev. Keith Watson; and Sunday, Nov. 13, Stu Boyd.

The intimate setting at the Methodist Church in Berthoud is a wonderful venue for a play of this type. The audience is drawn into the problems of this dysfunctional family as they deal with their feelings toward their husband/father/brother who has left this world so suddenly. We can feel sympathy for the departed and perhaps understand why his wife of 29 years wanted to have “mean and surly” carved on his tombstone. We can laugh at the obliviousness of the characters to their situation.

The play consists of a series of short scenes and the actors do a wonderful job of building the continuity of the story as the Joy of Life Singers and the organ music (the organ is for sale) aid the transition between events. Amid the frustration and anger among the family, the affection and love eventually shows through.

The cast and staff is a showcase of local talent and the local theater group has again created a great evening of entertainment. Highly recommended.

Performances are Nov. 4, 5, 11 & 12 (7:30 p.m.) and Nov. 6 & 13 (2 p.m.) at the United Methodist Church (lower level stage), 820 9th St. in Berthoud.

Tickets: $10, adult, and $8 for students and seniors.

The family gathers to pick a casket and decide on a tombstone inscription. The situation leads to a fist fight between Ray-Bud and Junior

The Moon Theatre Company will present the drop dead funny “Dearly Departed” Nov. 4, 5, 11 & 12 (7:30 p.m.) and Nov. 6 & 13 (2 p.m.) at the United Methodist Church (lower level stage), 820 9th St. in Berthoud.

Tickets: $10, adult, and $8 for students and seniors.

“Dearly Departed,” by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones, is a comedy about the Turpin family, which proves that living and dying in the Baptist backwoods of the Bible Belt is seldom tidy and always hilarious. The Turpins turn to their friends and neighbors for comfort, and find an eccentric community of misfits who somehow help them pull together in their hour of need. “Dearly Departed” makes fun of the behaviors, mannerisms and way of speaking of these folks. It plays with stereotypes, but the characters are so well established in the play that you may be convinced you’ve run across one or two of them in your past.

For tickets and info call 720-438-0892.

Raymond B. Scott was born October 14, 1923, at Alma, Nebraska to Charles Everett and Faye Georgia (Coe) Scott. He died in Loveland, Colorado on November 18, 2010. He attended grade schools in the Alma, Nebraska area and graduated from high school in 1942 in Castle Rock, Colorado. The family moved to Colorado in 1938 from Nebraska and farmed in the Mead-Platteville area, later moving to near Larkspur, Colorado. His father died in the spring of 1942 and Ray took over the farming duties and supported the family when they moved to a farm east of Denver. In 1947, Ray left the farming to another brother and entered Westmar College at Le Mars. Iowa to prepare for the Christian Ministry in the Evangelical United Brethren Church.  In 1951, Ray entered the Seminary at Naperville, Illinois and graduated in 1954.

While in college, Ray married Joyce E. Eckardt of Lake Odessa, Michigan on August 17, 1948. She worked as a Medical Technologist and jokingly said that she had gotten her PHT (putting hubby through) degree. Following graduation in 1954, they returned to Colorado where Ray served his first church at Seibert, Colorado. He also served churches at Peetz, Johnstown, Berthoud, Colorado and Rawlins, Wyoming, all in the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church, completing 35 years of ministry. Ray retired in June of 1989

Five children blessed the marriage and are surviving: Karl (wife Cheryl deceased) of Fort Lupton, Colorado; Barbara and husband Paul Lecheler of Allen, Texas, Marvin and wife Cyndi of Tucson, Arizona, Cindy Scott of Aurora, Colorado, and Louis and wife Francine of Loveland, Colorado. Also surviving are three brothers, Clarence and wife Ila of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Paul and wife Mary of Loveland, Colorado, Donald and wife Donna-Vee of McPherson, Kansas, one sister Bonnie and husband Roy Lasater of Findley, Ohio, a brother-in-law Paul Farmer of Cortez, Colorado, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  Ray was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his parents, two sisters, and a brother-in-law.

During their ministry at Berthoud, they were foster parents to 35 children in 10 years, under the supervision of the Larimer County Social Services. Life was full, busy, and rich in the wonderful service of the Lord.

Cremation has been conducted with a celebration of Ray’s life to be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 27, 2010, Berthoud First United Methodist Church with inurnment in the Berthoud Greenlawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions in Ray’s name may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 920 9^th Street, Berthoud, Colorado 80513.

Lebsack was born March 27, 1957 to Robert and Priscilla Lebsack in Loveland, CO. He attended elementary schools in both Johnstown and Berthoud and graduated from Berthoud High School in 1975. He then attended the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, graduating in 1980.

During his college years he worked for AMAX Mining Co. and continued with them at the Henderson Mill until transferring to Silver City, N.M. In, 2002 he transferred to the Freeport McMoran Sierrita Mine in Tucson, where he worked as the crusher department superintendent until his death.

Lebsack was well respected by all those who worked with him. He is survived by children Noel, Sam, Lauren Lebsack of Tucson, parents Robert and Priscilla Lebsack of Berthoud, brother Paul (Wendy) Lebsack of Loveland, sister Robbie and husband Eric of Springfield, Colo., special friend Kay Brack Steward, numerous nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins and many friends.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to The Colorado School of Mines Foundation, P.O. Box 4005, Golden, CO 80401 in memory of Kennon Lebsack. A memorial service will be held Friday, Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. at the Berthoud United Methodist Church.