We miss you Kyle & our life will never be the same without you!! Today we honor you for who you were to us and for the impact you made in the lives of people you touched everywhere you went!! Today we celebrate a life well lived & we want to give honor & glory to Jesus. We are thankful for 24 years with you!!
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
We’d be honored to have you join our family here as we honored Kyles Life on earth. He impacted so many lives!! Click the video to watch on youtube. May your life be impacted as well!! Blessings!
We are so grateful to our families & friends for their love & support during Kyles passing and the week leading up to his Viewing, Burial & Celebration of Life. To all who came by….family, friends, our Petra family, doctors, nurses, teachers, bus drivers & aides, caretakers, and so many more…THANK YOU! To all who sent texts, messages on social media, cards, flowers, food, etc…..THANK YOU!
Special Thanks to Kayla Lapp for taking pictures during the Viewing & Burial and to Rosie Beiler for taking pictures at the Celebration of Life. I will treasure these forever.
Many thanks, also, to those who set up the memory tables & the many items in remembrance of Kyle. This was something that was important to me & you all did an amazing job!! Last but not least, thank you Lena Stoltzfus for spending an entire day doing Kyles album from our Make A Wish trip, which I somehow thought I had done!
OUR WARRIOR
There is no tragedy in being ushered from this life to the next when that next life is spent in the presence of God. The only real tragedy is a life that ends without that hope. When a person rejects the free gift of eternal life God has offered through a relationship with His Son, that is a tragedy! -Hope, By Nancy Guthrie
So many precious memories!!
-Spring Garden Days -Hershey days Seems like 24 short years!
Love, Dave & Barbie Esh
I loved spending time with him in the pool. I loved when he would make his way over to me & just want to hang out and then he never wanted me to leave. I’m going to miss seeing him at almost every shift at Latte Luv. It was an honor to love you Kyle & to be loved by you.
❤ Elsie
I had Kyle at my house, we were having a great day. Kyle was on the recliner in our living room. Soon my dad, John, came home and he seemed happy about that. John sat down and started teasing him. Kyle just started giggling over and over. 😊
I will never forget those sweet sounds of joy. 💛 -Kathleen King
I will always treasure the times Kyle would come to my studio. He would always find ways to communicate his needs and he never left without giving a high five. I am going to miss his smiles and happy expressions.
My love & prayers are with you always, Wanita
I will Never forget the very first time I met Kyle & Sue, he was on the table in room 4 at the clinic and his vibrator was hidden under the blanket. About 20 minutes into the appt he threw his vibrator at me & I had to duck out of the way with the clinic laptop!
Love Kyle!!!
XO Dr Grace Loudon Meier, Clinic For Special Children
My memories of Kyle….
Kyle David Esh you left an everlasting impact on my life as you were a patient on the 5’th floor. I will never forget the night in the hospital that your daddy was staying with you to give your mom a night of rest. It all started when I came in to get your vitals and as soon as I put the B/P cuff on you it was off again., no B/P we were getting from you!! Your midnight B/P cuff when on your leg and I got it! You woke up and made some noise and I asked you what you wanted. You grabbed my hand and pulled me towards you, touched my face, gave me that little kiss on the cheek, and the rest is history. You touched my heart and left an everlasting impact that will last until we meet again and what a reunion that will be. You will always have a place in my 💓.
Free at last! -Ginny Houser-
I remember one very special time during EHOP I had been pushing Kyle a while but all at once he wanted me to stop. That was rather rare. He started giggling & trying to talk. He wanted me to sit and talk.
Kevin Miller
Remember to take one day at a time- do not worry about tomorrow. God will help you one day at a time. We love you all- Johnny & Sadie
Sue and family,
Thank you for sharing Kyle with me! You lived life very loudly….the love of our heavenly Father. It’s hard to express my thoughts but the impact of Kyle & his family is louder than a trumpet call. Thank you for a touch of heaven you shared. -Nancy Eberly
Sue, Thank you for allowing me into your heart and walking this journey with you. It was my honor to care for Kyle, even if most of our visits caused me to get in the pool! I will be thinking of you and your family! -Laura B., RN
To the Esh Family I am blessed to observe your life with Kyle at Petra church . You lived & loved so well! Kyles life is in God’s hands. You will meet later.
Prayers, Ruth Zimmerman
II Corontians 4:16-18
“weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning!”
Siran Stacy
I will never forget the day the whole youth group went in to the hospital to visit Kyle when he was born. He will be missed!
Love, Angie
I can still feel Kyle’s hand on my face when he pulled my face in to His when you wanted a picture while traveling to Tennessee with Mim & I in the back seat. He was squished in the center. 😊
💕 -Barb
Sherilyn Hoover goes to the Care Center and she would often talk of how she loved to push Kyle around on the wheelchair.
I was blessed greatly as I observed your great love - you received God’s gift to you - and He was glorified by your steadfast love and care for your more than special son. Your care was an overflow of His love & strength.
-Linda
Most of my memories are of course at night😊 One of my favorites was when I needed to strip his sheets but Kyle felt it was taking to long and he let me know it.❤ But one of my first memories of Sue & Kyle was when sue, with Kyle, brought sweet treats to Izzy & I when we were yet again at Hershey Childrens Hospital. It really stood out to me that Sue, with all she had to do, thought of US! I always thought I’d like to be like Sue. 🖤
Other memories- Our few summer swimming days, & all Thursday nights. 😊
Love, Danielle
A note from Sue- I’ve admired Dani for years as she cared for her son. My heart broke at all their ins & outs at Hershy so was honored to be able to stop to visit during one of Kyles appointments. I was also blown away when only about 3 months after her own son Izzy passed away, she was already making plans to come out to our house one night a week and stay up the entire night at Kyles side so I could sleep. Forever Grateful Dani!!! Sadly, there aren’t pictures because both Kyle & I were usually asleep.
One memory I think of is when we were “sitting” Kyle he would toss his buzzer and I kept getting it. But he like to wait until I sat down to throw it. It was a fun game.
Love, Niveyah Newswanger
Ivan & Sue
Your little warrior has flown into Jesus arms. You loved him so well. Prayers for you as you adjust to life without Kyle here in your arms. I am up for a coffee (or coke) date anytime! Love , Betty & Phil
I’m so sorry for ruining your anniversary. 😒 Rosa & I were taking care of the kids while you were away, I was picking up Kyle & accidentally pulled his feeding tube out. 🙁 You were so gracious, and Rosa was able to get it back in. Praise the Lord!
Kyle was just so special! You guys did a wonderful job caring for him!
Love you! -Tonya
Praying for Comfort for all of you. Its a journey no parent should face.
-The Prokays
Sue & Ivan, I don’t have any special memories of Kyle since most of our interaction was at church & he would be in SNAP. My words of encouragement? We all grieve on our own timelines. Don’t let anyone tell you how you should be. Take your time to process & don’t be in a hurry to move on. You & your family (including Kyle) have reached far. You will not be forgotten. It’s comforting as Christians to know that we will see him again & that he’s doing well and not held down by his earthly body. However, the grief of losing someone so close & who required almost constant care is real.
Our thoughts & prayers will be with all of you, but especially Sue & Ivan, as you make your path through this new life.
Love, Linda Martin (&George)
FROM SUE- THANK YOU TO ALL WHO TOOK TIME TO SHARE A MEMORY. IT WAS SO FUN TO READ THEM. THANK YOU ALSO TO THOSE WHO SHARED ENCOURAGEMENT, IT MEANS ALOT! YOUR PRAYERS ARE SO MUCH APPRECIATED. PLEASE DONT STOP! THIS NEW LIFE WITHOUT KYLE IS A HARD ONE FOR ME. I KNOW GOD WILL SEE ME THROUGH BUT YOUR THOUGHTS, PRAYERS & MESSAGES DO HELP A LOT!!
Getting to be a buddy with Kyle was always a special privilege. I always considered it a huge win if I got one of his winning smiles.
I’ll miss you, Kyle!
Love, Carmen Stone
Things I’m going to miss…
Kyle’s grin when you understood & gave him exactly what he wanted. :)
Watching my sisters help lovingly help care for him & tell him how cute he is.
His quiet little noises when he was content and his soft hands grabbing me to get my attention.
-Ana
Kyle will be greatly missed at the Care Center. Kyle was a sunbeam in the starfish group. 😊 Without Care Center Kyle wouldn’t have touched my life. Kyle has a brand new body in heaven with Jesus. 😊 God bless you Ivan & Sue! ❤- Magdelena Burkholder
Hey Ivan, Sue & family, Kyle will be greatly missed at CCC. His high fives are one of the many highlights I remember of him. He loved to tease & his smiles were such a blessing. Love, Chester & Martha King
Sue & Ivan, You blessed Kyle with such a wonderful life! You loved so well! In your low times maybe dwelling on his dancing & running & talking will lift your heavy hearts, He is with Jesus!!! Don & Eillen Detweiler
Sue, Ivan & family-
Always remember Kyle’s smiles. Just had to smile with him. He made Sunday mornings special.
Hugs & Prayers, Maura Wall
I always enjoyed the special moments I spent with him the winter I was his caregiver. His awesome smiles. He is now resting sweetly with Jesus. 💓Marian Huyard
God grant to you both, as you navigate the new normal, a blessed calm assurance.
Love you guys, Dan & Lill Stoltzfus
Ivan, Sue & Family-
You have always been an inspiration to us, the way you all loved Kyle! He was blessed to have a family like you!
I will never forget when you approached me at the Leola Auction, Sue, you asked about Kyle possibly transferring care to CSC. It has been a joy & inspiration to see you there and I still want to be your support team if you walk/bike or whatever 😊 across the USA to remember Kyle or bring awareness to special needs children!
-Keturah Beiler
As I walked into church I began pondering where in your journey did we meet. Jasons 14-year anniversary (in heaven) is this month so we met 15 years ago, and Kyle would have been 9. I remember him in a stroller at church. I never had a lot of close interaction with you and the family, but I remember you being my secret sister and remember the great gifts you gave me with such love & how some of them I still use. Life is such a journey and I know that God has great things in store for you because that is who He is. As I ponder what your life will feel/look like when you allow yourself to look ahead. Caring for Kyle has taken up such a huge part of your life. I challenge you to give your body some time to be still & rest. You have been on an exhausting, loving, caring journey. It has taken a lot from you & God longs to fill you up with great things. Blessings to you Sue and the family as you build a new life around the memories!!
Love you!! Sandra Campbell
Kyle sure was a trooper. I Always loved seeing him on facebook. You were loved in so many ways! -Darlene, Pete Petersheim
I love you, Sue! I loved following your stories of Kyle. Ivan & Sue, you are such beautiful, amazing parents. -Lydiann
I have been so blessed by you guys! You have run the race so well. I’m so honored to have been a small part in supporting you and being Kyles Sunday Buddy. I know that Elliana saying hi to Kyle & giving him a high five. I’m going to miss that boy!!
Love, Rob
We are so thankful for the promise of Heaven!! Yes, we cry and we struggle without Kyle here. But in our hearts, we know that because of Jesus, Because of the blood He shed for us, we will indeed see Kyle again in heaven. Also, Kyle won’t be sitting around or head banging anymore, He is healed & whole and living his best life with Jesus. He has been reunited with family already there & the party is already started. His job on earth is done. But ours isn’t. We must be the hands & feet of Jesus here, fulfilling His calling, until we are called away to join them in Heaven! This song is so true! Because of Heaven we can laugh even in our tears (as you have probably seen if you were at the viewing or Life Celebration. Listen & enjoy!
Thank you for sending me this song Annie!!!
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Thank you to these men who carried Kyles casket... each one played a very special part in his life.
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Front Left- Rob King... Kyles newest Sunday morning church Buddy. even with his wife on worship team & his own children to get ready for church he got to church & took kyle for the service once a month.
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Middle Left- Anthony Stoltzfus.... Kyles friend from the very beginning, he prayed faithfully for kyle in those early days & was part of his first prayer team
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Front Left - Sam Beiler... one of Ivans best friends, one of Kyles sunday morning "buddies", He & his wife kept Kyle on Sunday afternoon at their house & had offered to keep him again.
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front left- Michael Fisher... Kyles closest cousin, born 9 months after Kyle. He loved Kyle so well, always giving him hugs whenever he was around. He thought no one was watching but it blessed this mommas heart everytime.
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front right- Josh Stoltzfus ... These 2 spent time in the same Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Hershey as babies, went to PV school together in Middle school where Josh volunteered as a buddy to kyles classroom. They also happen to be second cousins
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Back Left- Kevin Miller... Kyles longest very faithful buddy at church. they spent many sunday mornings together. Kevin also took part as a caretaker picking kyle up for drives or walks when sue needed help.
In our heritage it is a custom to cover the grave ourselves after the body is lowered into the ground. Usually the father & brothers might start first then uncles, nephews, cousins and friends. Anyone is allowed this honor. For some it might be an act of honor to the one who passed, for others a final farewell. It can be hard to think of throwing dirt on the loved ones grave but also looked at as the last thing you can do for them and a way to honor them one final time. Most times it is the men who do this but its open to anyone who desires to. I don’t believe There really is a right or wrong way. For me it was such a blessing to see the family, cousins, friends do this honor and in so doing, showing a special honor to Kyle for who he was. I didn’t do it myself because I just didn’t feel it in my heart, I just wanted to watch, ponder all of it, holding my sweet niece who also was watching carefully and pondering these deep things as well. Those of us watching also sang songs of Heaven & peace. My heart was blessed & at peace as we honored both Kyle & God.
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Phillipians 1:21
A Celebration of a life well lived... Ivan shared a letter to Kyle
Worship is a vital part of our family's life & we couldn't have this celebration without worship to our Saviour!
Sue shared about the ups & downs, the miracles, the honor of being Kyles mom & the desire for God to use Kyle & herself during Kyle's life.
Kendra shared precious memories with Kyle, the little brother who adored her!
Virgil shared moments of life with his little brother whom he loved so well.
We are so thankful for the Fisher family who honored our request to have them join us on stage to sing some of our favorite songs of farewell/heaven over the years
Also blessed to have my brothers & family pray over us before it ended.
the sweet fellowship…
So thankful to friends who came with amazing food for our family & friends! Thanks to all who stayed to fellowship with us. We are blessed by the best people in our lives!!
