ODON — “The best is yet ahead,” said Bruce Overton, 62-year-old husband, father and grandfather.

Overton, an Odon native, considers himself blessed. He has a beautiful wife of 42 years, family residing nearby, a small group that meets weekly, friends who visit frequently and a house that oozes with love making all who enter feel welcome and at home.

In July of 2008, Overton was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Overton went to a local physician wondering why he was unable to breathe lying down. He was sent to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where after five days of intensive testing, he was diagnosed.

The doctor told them his time was limited.

“We decided no one really knows that except for the Lord,” Overton’s wife Bonita said looking at Bruce who nods in agreement.

After hearing the news, the couple drove straight home crying the whole way.

Though their lives have changed drastically since receiving the news that July day more than a year ago, their view of life and how it’s to be lived hasn’t.

“Our job right now is to glorify God through all of this. That’s just what we’ve got to do,” Bonita said with a distinct, unwavering confidence, as if not doing it would go against her entire being. “Plus, He’s the Comforter.”

Overton, with a natural charisma that draws people to him, has always had many friends. This disease has made him to appreciate the friendships even more and acknowledge the value of things money can’t buy.

ALS is a disease that causes degeneration of motor neurons in the body. Overton has bulbar onset ALS which affects the respiratory system before the legs and arms while the majority of people have limb onset ALS which affects the limbs first.

Because of the effects of the disease, Overton hasn’t been able to work. He was employed at SAIC where he got disability. Bonita, a kindergarten teacher at North Daviess Elementary School, was able to take a leave from her position.

“Both employers just bent over backwards to help us,” said Overton who then talked about his boss and previous boss visiting regularly keeping him aware of work happenings.

Their house, as Bonita said, has been “a revolving door.” Everyday they have company, and they love it.

Bonita is grateful for the opportunity to be at home with her husband.

“I wanted to be the one to take care of him,” she said talking about her role as a wife and mentioning she would have wanted him to take care of her if their roles were reversed.

Overton, praising his wife, recalled a conversation with his brother.

“Me and Byron were talking,” Overton said looking at Bonita. “We’ve screwed up a lot, but we sure married well.”

The couple, who were high school sweethearts, spend their days enjoying the each others company.

“We feel totally thankful to the Lord for letting us have this time,” Bonita said.

Rather than becoming discouraged or having pity parties, Bruce and Bonita try to find the humor in day-to-day life. Smiling, the two remembered a night when Overton was sitting on the couch eating almonds. Bonita, in a chair near the couch, saw an almond fly over his shoulder and hit the floor. Realizing he was struggling to hit his mouth, she said nothing. Then it happened again.

“We just turned to each other and laughed,” she said.

Bruce, who enjoys anything outdoors, would have been found working in the yard in the past. Now, he is unable to do those kind of things, Bonita said.

“I can honestly say, I’ve never heard him complain once,” she said still amazed by the fact.

“He can’t drive anymore. It just bothers him because he has to ride with me,” she said laughing and looking at husband who was grinning.

Overton was approached by some family members about putting a team together for an ALS walk in Evansville on Oct. 3.

“I said you can do it, but there’s not a whole lot of people who’ll go from here down to Evansville to walk two miles,” he said. “I said we’ll only get 15 people.”

Team Bruce was organized by his niece Holly Murrie with help from his daughter Bridget Lawyer. There were 279 individuals on Team Bruce, a far cry from 15.

“It’s just a pretty humbling experience,” Overton said.

T-shirts, designed by the Odon Pharmacy, were donated by Eldon Graber, a classmate of Overton’s. The 400 t-shirts were donated and sold, with the profits going toward the fund-raising goal.

Graber, who resides in Arizona, flew in to participate in the walk.

“He showed up without a shirt,” Overton said laughing. “He made 400 of them but didn’t have one for himself. We got him one though.”

Team Bruce’s fund-raising goal was set at $2,500. Currently, they are up to $15,510.90, with more donations being made daily.

“We’re able to see from this side of heaven the love from the people we care about,” Bonita said humbly.

At a time when many people would question their beliefs, the Overtons don’t.

“The Bible talks about a peace that passes all understanding, and the Lord has given that to us,” Bonita said sincerely. “It’s hard sometimes, but we kind of laugh and go on.”

The couple aren’t scared about what the future holds.

In 1986, their son Brian, a high school senior, and two friends were killed tragically when their vehicle was hit by a train. Knowing he is in heaven, Bonita’s eyes moistening as she said, “Part of us is already there.”

“This tells it best,” Bruce said as he swiveled his chair around to face his computer.

With a few clicks of his mouse, the song “This Old Place” performed by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound is playing through the speakers:

“Remember this is not our home. We just lived here for awhile. A place to live and laugh and love, making memories as a child. Our real home waits on the other side where our treasures lie in store. No need to grieve for this old place for Heaven holds much more.”