Elijah Lee Sherman-Parks

Elijah Lee Sherman-Parks, 13, of Van Wert, died Tuesday, July 30, 2013, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne, Ind.

He was born May 7, 2000, in Bellevue. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Charity H. Sherman-Ruppert and John Ruppert II; his father and stepmother, Doug (Katie) Parks Jr.; his brother, Kaiden Keller; and two sisters, Alexus and Lilyan Smith, all of Van Wert.

In addition, he is survived by his maternal grandfather, Dennis Sherman of Fremont; his maternal grandmother, Sandra Sherman of Clyde; his maternal stepgrandparents, John and Becky Ruppert of Coldwater, Mich.; his maternal stepgrandparents, Jeff and Bridget Steingass of Cecil; his maternal great-grandparents, Darell and Pearlie Sherman of Somerset, Ky.; his maternal great-grandfather, Max Kemerer of Hicksville; and his maternal great-grandmother, Alice Whitman of Dayton.

He is also survived by his paternal grandparents, Dave and Judy Weaver of Celina and Chuck and Grace Parks of Clyde; paternal stepgrandfather, Andy Post of Coldwater (Ohio); paternal stepgrandparents, Kim and Tony Reed of Celina; paternal great-grandparents, Sherman and Brenda Killion of Petersburg, Mich., and Charles and Stella Parks of Bellevue; and his paternal stepgreat-grandmother, Eileen Klosterman of Celina.

He was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandparents, Wayne and Helen Stinchcomb; paternal stepgreat-grandmother, Wilma Russo; and paternal great-aunt Gloria Renee Sears.

Elijah would have entered the eighth grade this coming year at Van Wert Middle School. He was a member of the Hicksville Go-Getters 4-H Club and played football at VWMS. Having been a “giver” in life, so he was in death, donating his organs so that another may live.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 5, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Steve Robinson officiating.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Sunday, August 4, and from 9 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: First Baptist Church in Van Wert, http://www.gracefulgoodbye.com/fundraisers/967424-elijah-shermanparks or a charity of donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.bricknerfuneralhome.com or emailed to bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.