Magdalena Allgayer

Family/Spouse: Joseph Koch. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101178409/hannah-buehrle

Johanna married Joseph Buehrle on 6 Sep 1830 in Katholisch, Kappel am Rhein, Ortenaukreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Joseph (son of Franz Joseph Bührle and Katharina Kraemer) was born on 21 Dec 1802 in Kappel am Rhein, Ortenaukreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; was christened on 24 Dec 1802 in Kappel am Rhein, Ortenaukreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died on 3 Mar 1877 in Tinicum, Bucks County, Pennsylvania; was buried in Upper Timicum Union Cemetery, Tinicum, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

William Buehrle, son of Joseph Buehrle, was born in Germany in 1834, and when a lad of twelve years left his native province of Baden in company with his mother and crossed the water to the new world. His educational pri­vileges were somewhat limited, for it was necessary that he earn his own living at an early age, his father’s property having been confiscated in Germany, so that it forced him to begin business life anew in the United States. When quite a young boy William Buehrle crossed the mountain with a pack on his back and he was still quite young when he secured a position on the Delaware canal, follow­ing that business continuously for twen­ty-one years. The careful husbandry of his resources enabled him in that time to save enough money to purchase a small farm in Tinicum first and later he bought one belonging to Dietrich Knop­pel in Bedminster township. He resided thereon for five years, devoting his ener­gies to general agricultural pursuits and to dealing in cattle. He then sold the property to its former owner and bought another farm, where he continu­ed to engage in the tilling of the soil until twenty years of his life had been given to agricultural pursuits. At that time he turned his attention to mer­chandising at Quakertown, but when two years had passed sold out to his son William. Since that time he has been engaged in canvassing for books of vari­ous kinds. A Republican in his political views, he has ever been deeply inter­ested in the issues and questions of the day, keeping well informed on political conditions of the country. He served as school director in Tinicum township for two years and in Bedminster town­ship for six years. William Buehrle was married on the 16th of September, 1856, to Miss Mary Ann Fryling, a daughter of Samuel Fryling a resident of War­rington township. She was born in 1842 and by her marriage became the mother of nineteen children: William; Hannah, wife of Nathan Beer, of Perkasie, Rock­hill township; Charlotte, who married A. O. Myers, of Portland; Frederick F.; William F.; Rosanna, who became the wife of John Edwin Scheetz, and after his death married Joseph Hager; Samuel; Joseph, Robert, Lawrence, Harry, de­ceased; John Edward, deceased; Benja­min Franklin; Annie, the wife of Charles Bowman; Lillie, Mary Ann, deceased; and three who died in infancy.
(Davis, William W. H., A Genealogical and Personal History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 1905, Vol. II, page 377/8)


Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41052780/william_koch-buehrle

William married Mary Ann Fryling on 14 Sep 1856 in Bedminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Mary (daughter of Samuel Fryling and Charlotte Trittenbach) was born on 11 Apr 1842 in Tinicum, Bucks County, Pennsylvania; died on 8 Oct 1920 in Tinicum, Bucks County, Pennsylvania; was buried in Upper Timicum Union Cemetery, Tinicum, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Supt. Buehrle had his boyhood home in Bucks county, and at the age of seven started on the tow-path of the Lehigh canal, which he followed every season until the fall of 1858, when he literally slept from the canal boat to the teacher’s platform, although he averaged but two months a year at school up to that time. He now zealously devoted himself to study at the Bucks County Normal and Classical School, at Quakertown, where he was a classmate of Dr. J. S. Stahr, president of Franklin and Marshall College, and of Dr. George U. Wenner, a prominent Lutheran divine of New York. He was soon appointed assistant, but after two years he again took charge of a country school, this time near Allentown, Pa. There he married Anna M. Lazarus, a daughter of Jacob Lazarus, a prosperous farmer. In the spring of 1863, he assumed charge of Weaver­sville Academy, in Northampton county, then soon resigning to enter the motive power department of the Pennsylvania Railroad as clerk, at Bishop’s, then under the superintendency of Andrew Carnegie.

At the expiration of two years Dr. Buehrle returned to the profession of teaching, as principal of the Allentown boys’ high school, and three years later he was unanimously appointed first city superintendent of Allentown, and also ex-officio principal of the high school, to which position he was successively re-elected until 1878, when he declined to accept the office. Under his supervision the schools became widely known for their complete and effective organization and the excellence of the buildings erected. His advice was sought by boards of directors in distant parts of the state, and even after his departure from this field officers of the board were eager to consult him; so successful had been his administration there that the chief direction given his successor by the board was to follow in his footsteps and to attempt no reforms.

In 1878, when Reading was casting about for a suitable person to serve that city as superintendent of schools, State Superintendent Wickersham wrote to them recommending Supt. Buehrle, of Allentown, and he was accordingly elected, and accepted the position, but remained only two years, when he resigned to become the first city superintendent of Lancaster. While at Reading, Franklin and Marshall College conferred on him the honorary degree of M. A. Though remaining there but a short time, he exerted so marked an influence that when he departed, to enter upon his work at Lancaster, his journey thither resembled an ovation, accompanied as he was by the mayor and other public officials of the city, besides a large number of school controllers, especially the officers and chairmen of the chief committees. He was probably the first school officer in the country to whom a complimentary dinner was given by the school authorities in token of their high esteem.

As superintendent at Lancaster Dr. Buehrle has labored diligently in the cause of public education; his thorough organization of the schools, and his judicious, well-directed and progressive administration of them, are universally recognized. A zealous champion of what he believes to be their best interests, he nevertheless inclines to the conservative rather than to the destructive. Striving for the establishment of what is fundamental, he has devoted himself most earnestly to the education—the instruction—of teachers—of those who are the chief factors in the work under his supervision. In doing this he has been continuously engaged in instructing classes of teachers, and it was largely to promote this end that he had become the author of “Grammatical Praxis” and “Arithmetical Exercises.” In recognition of his devotion to the study of literature—especially the languages—he became acquainted with Latin, Greek, German and French, besides being a contributor to Egle’s History of Pennsylvania, to Webster’s and to Murray’s English dictionaries—Franklin and Marshall College, in 1886, conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Dr. Buehrle is also a close student of the literature of his profession, a contributor to educational journals, and is noted for wide and thorough scholarship, as well as for his advocacy of the classics and collegiate training.

In the Pennsylvania State Teachers’ Association he has taken an active and influential part, and he is also an active member of the National Educational Association. He has been especially prominent in the formation of the City and Borough Superintendents’ Association of Pennsylvania, which originated in a preliminary meeting, of which he was president, held at Lancaster in 1888. In 1893 he was elected its president a second time. He is a charter member of the Penn-German Society, in the organization of which he was very active; a Royal Arch Mason, being a past master of Barger Lodge, No. 333, at Allentown; and a member of Chapter No. 13, R. A. M., of Lancaster. He has widely identified himself with whatever makes for the improvement of his adopted city; is a member of the Mechanics Library Society, of the Lancaster County Historical Society, an associate member of the Linnean Society, a director of the Lancaster General Hospital, and of the West End Building Association. In religion he is a Lutheran, a prominent member of Christ Church, and has been identified with Sunday-school work since 1859, the greater part of the time as superintendent. It was on his motion, at the meeting of the General Council held at Chicago in 1888, that a committee on a Sunday-school Course of Instruction was appointed, of which he is still a member, and which has created the council’s excellent graded course.

Politically a Republican, he believes in civil service reform, in the initiative, the referendum, the municipalization of monopolistic public utilities, postal savings banks and the parcels post. The home of Supt. Buehrle and his estimable wife is at No. 408 Manor street, in a double-front house owned and built by himself, besides which he has built ten others in the city.

(Beers, J.H. & Co., Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania: Containing Biographical and Genealogical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers, 1903, pp.440/441)


Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198570218/robert-k-buehrle

Family/Spouse: Anna Maria Lazarus. Anna was born on 6 Sep 1841 in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania; died on 12 Jun 1920 in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; was buried in Lancaster Cemetery, Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Titus Kile Afflerbach. Titus was born on 18 Jun 1844; died on 25 Apr 1919; was buried in Saint Marks Cemetery, Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Nathan Kibler Beer. Nathan was born on 19 Jan 1856; died on 12 Jun 1944; was buried in Perkasie Mausoleum, Perkasie, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Section 1, Row 17, Lot 26

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23927078/abraham_overholt-myers

Charlotte married Abraham Overholt Myers on 17 Feb 1879 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Abraham (son of Samuel Stover Myers and Anna Overholt) was born on 8 Jun 1857 in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania; died on 25 Mar 1932 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; was buried in Deep Run Mennonite Church East Cemetery, Bedminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Frederick F. Buehrle was born in Tin­icum township, Bucks county, November 14, 1861, and pursued a common school education, entering upon his business career in the capacity of a clerk in the store of D. B. Crouthamel, of Ridge. On leaving that employ he turned his at­tention to farming, which he has since followed in connection with the butcher­ing business and fence building. His life has been characterized by unfalter­ing industry and has been crowned with a fair measure of success. In politics he is a stanch Republican, active in the work of the party, recognized as one of its local leaders and at the present writing in 1904 is spoken of as a candi­date for sheriff. He belongs to the Lu­theran church at Kellers, Pennsylvania, and is the champion of all measures that have for their object the upbuilding and substantial improvement of his county. Frederick F. Buehrle was married to Miss Annie Bewighouse, the only daugh­ter of Isaac Bewighouse, and they now have two children: Sarah B. and Mary Ann.
(Davis, William W. H., A Genealogical and Personal History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 1905, Vol. II, page 378)

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68632720/frederic-f-buehrle

Family/Spouse: Annie Bewighouse. Annie was born on 10 Feb 1869; died on 16 Mar 1956; was buried in Deep Run Mennonite Church East Cemetery, Bedminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8837450/william_fryling-buehrle

Anna married Charles Lintner Bowman on 17 May 1888 in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Charles (son of Albert Bowman and Anna) was born on 21 Nov 1865 in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania; was christened on 13 Feb 1875 in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania; died after 1930. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/99952265/robert-fryling-buehrle

Notes:

Lawrence Buehrle, Former Teacher

Lawrence F. Buehrle, 93, died Tuesday in Denver, Colo. He was a retired school teacher.

A graduate of Millersville State College, Buehrle taught in Perkasie and Hilltown before moving to Colorado. He was a member of the Lutheran Church.

Born in Tinicum Township, he was the son of the late William K. and Mary Ann (Fryling) Buehrle.

Surviving are a sister Mrs. Lillian Garner of Philadelphia.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in the A. W. Trefinger Funeral Home, 24 N. Ambler St., Quakertown. There will be no calling hours.
(The Morning Call, Allentown, Pennsylvani, Friday, June 30, 1967)

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101287285/lawrence_fryling-buehrle

Notes:

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101287265/henry_fryling-buehrle

Notes:

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/148533582/benjamin_franklin-buehrle

Benjamin married Mabel Stockton in 1917 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Mabel was born on 20 Sep 1882 in Camden, Camden County, New Jersey; died on 29 Jul 1971 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; was buried in North Cedar Hill Cemetery, Frankford, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Grace married Eden Henry Jordan in ca 1899 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Eden was born in 1869 in Pennsylvania; died in 1928; was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married Albert Reed in 1904 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Albert was born in 1883 in Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married Walter E. Hewitt in 1916 in New Jersey. Walter was born in 1883 in Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Catherine Hartzell in 1911 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Catherine was born on 24 Jun 1892 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania; died on 22 Apr 1971 in Telford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; was buried in Hillside Cemetery and Memorial Gardens, Roslyn, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Herbert married Cora Luella Eyer on 8 Oct 1910 in Easton, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Cora was born on 15 Dec 1886 in Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; died on 8 Feb 1980 in Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; was buried in Highland Memorial Park, Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Russell married Alice Doyle Meyer on 14 May 1912 in Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Alice was born on 4 Aug 1893 in Manassas, Prince William County, Virginia; died on 5 May 1928 in Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; was buried in Pottstown Cemetery, Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military Service: 1 Jul 1917; World War I (US) US Army Co.A, 111th Infantry Discharged 16 Dec 1918

Notes:

Buried:
Section 1, Range 5, Lot 84, Grave 1.

Curtis married Margaret M. Bickel in 1921 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Margaret was born in Dec 1899 in Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; died in 1981. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Painter
• Military Service: 17 Jul 1917, Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; World War I (US) US Army 6th Infantry 17Jul1917-10Sep1917; 111th Infantry 10Sep1917-Aug1918; Cocual Co-France Aug1918-Jul1919 17th Engineers (Railway) Fort Dix Detachment Sailed from St Nazaire, France 10Mar1919 on board the USS Susquehanna and arrived at Hoboken, New Jersey 25Mar1919 153rd Depot Brigade, 9th Bn, 34th Co. Honorably Discharged 12 Apr 1919 - Camp Merritt,NJ

Notes:

Died:
Struck by trolley car in Philadelphia at 4:45PM on Sept 6th. Died of multiple injuries a few days later.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117351002/archie_earl-myers

Archie married Hannah Allen on 25 Oct 1919 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Hannah (daughter of John William Allen and Grace Campbell) was born on 20 Mar 1895 in Phillipsburg, Warren County, New Jersey; died on 17 Jun 1973 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married James S. Wolford on 1 Jul 1906 in Delaware, and was divorced before 1920. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ruth married John Kenneth Barrall on 16 Jun 1923 in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. John was born on 21 Aug 1902 in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania; died in 1986; was buried in Media Cemetery, Media, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military Service: 5 Feb 1941, Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania; World War II (US) US Army Discharged 13 Feb 1946, Fort Oro, California

Notes:

Lester E. Jordan, 81, ex-PennDOT Engineer
Lester E. Jordan, 81, of 406 Walker Road, Wayne, Delaware County, former Allentown District 5 engineer for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, died Sunday in Paoli Memorial Hospital, Chester County, He was the husband of Ruth (Dickensheets) Jordan. After serving the Allentown district, Jordan was assistant chief engineer and director of Design in PennDOT's central office in Harrisburg before retiring in 1973. He first served as district engineer of PennDOT's five-county district in Indiana. He was a 1931 graduate of Lehigh University, with a degree in civil engineering. Born in Mount Bethel, he was a son of the late Eden H. and Grace (Myers) Jordan. He was a member of the St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, Wayne. Survivors: Wife, son Lee C. of Downingtown, and a daughter, Lois J. Felldin of Exton, both in Chester County, and three grandchildren. Services 10:30am Friday in the church. No calling hours. Arrangements, Vincent C. Alleva Funeral Home, 1724 E. Lancaster Ave., Paoli.
(The Morning Call, Allentown, Pennsylvania · Thursday, August 18, 1988)

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Viola married William E. Traphagen est 1950. William was born on 5 Aug 1887 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey; died on 8 Mar 1960 in Meadville Twp, Crawford County, Pennsylvania; was buried in Greendale Cemetery, Meadville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: James Joseph Quinn. James was born in ca 1927. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military Service: 19 Oct 1944, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; World War II (US) US Army Overseas 25Apr1945-2Mar1946 (Japan) Release 11Nov1946 - Ft George Mead, Maryland

Notes:

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92781203/vincent_edward-myers

Vincent married Florence Theresa Doyle in 1943 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Florence (daughter of Edward Francis Doyle and Margaret Florence Kenney) was born on 26 Jan 1922 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; died on 8 Apr 2001 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; was buried in Westminster Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military Service: 22 Aug 1942, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; World War II (US) US Army Overseas 8Dec1942-27Oct1945 Released 31 Oct 1945 Indiantown Gap, Penn

Notes:

The Philadelphia Inquirer; Friday, April 5, 1974, Section C Page 4:
MYERS
April 2, 1974, suddenly, WILLIAM C., of 413 W. Chew St., beloved brother of Vincent E. Myers, Charlotte Petrino and Grace Gallagher. Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral Sat., 9 A.M., McGrath Funeral Home, 446 W. Spencer St. (6100 . 5th St.). Mass of Christian Burial, 10 A.M., St. Helena’s Church. Friends may call Fri. eve. Int. Holy Sepulchre Cem.

Charlotte married Daniel Joseph Petrino in 1964. Daniel was born on 18 May 1918 in Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey; died on 28 Feb 2008 in Levitton, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Grace C. (Meyers) Gallagher of Florence, N.J. died Wednesday, June 27,2001 at home. She was 78.
She was the wife of Michael (Joe) Gallagher. Mrs. Gallagher was born in Allentown, Pa.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Carol Gallagher of Hatboro; one daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Joseph Manning of Florence, N.J.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Clare's Church, E. Front and Walnut streets, Florence N.J. Interment will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Burlington,
Friends may call on Saturday only from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Dennison Funeral Home, 214 Front St., Florence, N. J. Contributions in her memory may be sent to Camilla Hall, Immaculata, Pa. 19345

Family/Spouse: Michael Joseph Gallagher. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Published Obituary
Joel William Burdett, aged 2 months, passed peacefully in the arms of his loving mother on the evening of June 26, 2012 at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas. Joel came into this world much earlier than planned on April 24, 2012 in Shenandoah, Texas and weighed at birth 1 pound, 12 ounces.
Joel put up a tough fight with every issue that was put in his path and bounced back more times than anyone expected. In the end, there were too many obstacles for his little body to handle.
He found comfort in holding his mother’s finger and listening to her voice every day. His favorite game was peek-a-boo, and he seemed to enjoy keeping his doctors and nurses on their toes. He will be missed by all who knew him and those who prayed for him all across the country.
Joel William was the son of Andrew and Rebecca (Walker) Burdett of New Caney, Texas. He is also survived by his half-brother, Drew Burdett; his maternal grandparents, William and Kathleen Walker, of Conroe, Texas; and his paternal grandparents, James and Anna Burdett, of Geneseo, New York.
In lieu of flowers, we would be honored if you would direct donations to the Ronald McDonald House in your area, as they allowed us to spend all the time we wanted with our little peanut.



Notes from Joel's Mother:
I kept a journal of thoughts for Joel, sort of like letters to him. It's the same journal where I kept copious notes regarding his day to day progress, so when the doctors did rounds I really felt a part of things. I sang the Sunshine song, played peek-a-boo, and held his hand for hours on end. Joel was my life.

Andrew has been the rock, the glue that kept us all stable. He lifted our family in our darkest times and always kept hope alive. He was always there with unrelenting love and support, gave Joel "pep talks" before surgeries, and provided great comfort to every member of our family.

Joel was blessed to have a big brother. But Drew's not just any big brother, he's the best big brother a baby could ever hope to have. He accepted Joel into his heart with open arms. It's so fitting that Drew should share a picture with Joel of R2-D2 and C-3PO from Star Wars. Unable to speak, R2-D2 communicates through a series of beeps and alarms like Joel did, and C-3PO understands and guards over him, just like Drew did. This brother's love was undeniable.

Joel was also blessed to have terrific grandparents, both near and far. They rallied around us, surpassing all others with their love and support. This love can only be described as unconditional. Their presence brought comfort to young Joel as well as provided sturdy support for us as parents as we faced insurmountable obstacles. Their selflessness and time communicated volumes to all of us. Their devotion was clear.

In addition to those at the service, Joel has extended family and friends who have lovingly provided support from across the miles.

No one can deny the overwhelming effect this small child had on all who touched his life. Starting his journey in The Woodlands, Joel melted the hearts of the doctors, nurses, and staff. Even after he'd left their care, they reached out to him and his family. When Joel was transferred to the facility downtown, he managed to soften the hearts of a new medical staff, who day after day witnessed the incredibly brave journey of a boy too young for this world. He defeated the odds and broke more barriers than anyone could imagine. His days with us have been truly divine. In his darkest days, he fought through and stayed strong; his strength enabling us as a family to survive another loss in our lives. An infant of only a few pounds, Joel provided support to us as we grieved, thus helping us to pull through and prepare for what was to come. But as days went by, Joel's spirit could no longer be contained in his frail young body.

Joel's time with us was brief yet equally profound. He has touched our lives and made us all better people in the eyes of God. And for that, we must be truly grateful.