Luke Jethro Heydlauff, 2, passed away peacefully at home on July 16, 2018, with his parents, Jeff and Kate Heydlauff at his side.
Luke's all too brief time on earth was surrounded by and epitomized by love. Luke was born in Kampala, Uganda, on October 16, 2015. His birth mother, Winnie, not only brought him into this world but loved him enough to place him under the care of the Nafasi Orphanage. It was there that he received wonderful care from people who truly were the hands and feet of God.
At their church on Adoption Sunday in November 2015, Jeff and Kate began the roller coaster experience associated with many international adoptions. Even in these initial months, the Heydlauffs experienced the love of both countless friends and strangers. In June of 2016, Jeff and Kate traveled one more time to Uganda to bring Luke home to his forever family.
Luke was a happy, smiling child from the beginning. In fact his smile was described as "contagious," "one that lights up the world" and "big enough to fill any room." Luke's big, brown eyes didn't miss a trick. He learned to trust, with an understandable amount of trepidation, the many people who cared for and loved him unconditionally. Not only was he discerning, but Luke was a smart, gentle, kind, and most of all an extremely polite soul.
Luke was diagnosed with Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis which led to many visits to Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was the bravest hero through countless hospital appointments, procedures, tests, and admissions. In June 2017, the Heydlauff family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio for Luke to be listed for a lung transplant. In October 2017 at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Luke received a double lung transplant. The family was able to return to Traverse City this past June. Luke maneuvered this journey with grace. He loved his parents, played with his siblings, listened to music and savored his Goldfish crackers and potato chips.
God doesn't give you the people you want. He gives you the people you need. People who will help you, hurt you, leave you, love you and make you the person you were meant to be. Those who knew Luke will forever reflect the difference he made in their lives.
Luke's family includes his parents, Jeff and Kate Heydlauff, his siblings, Charlotte and Jack, and his grandparents Mark and Amy Heydlauff and Rob and Cindy Pocock. Luke is also loved by his great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many special friends.
A visitation for friends to share in the Heydlauffs' grief will be held at Sojourn Church, 1027 McRae Hill Road, Traverse City, Michigan 49685, on Friday, July 20, from 5:00 to 7:00. A kid-focused celebration of Luke's life, designed to be kid-centric will be held at Sojourn at 10:00 on Saturday, July 21.
People who wish to remember Luke with a memorial contribution are asked to consider The Luke Heydlauff Fund for Children held at the Utopia Foundation to support and foster an awareness of the needs of children everywhere and promote health, education, and happiness among youth in Uganda and the world. This fund will reflect the many ways Luke's time with us showed the difference one person can make; the joy, pain, beauty, and fulfillment that comes from unconditional love.
Donations to the Luke Heydlauff Fund for Children may be mailed to Utopia Foundation, 111 Cass Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 or online at www.utopiafound.org.
The Heydlauff family is unable to fully express how grateful they are for the love they have received from countless friends and the many health care providers in Traverse City, Ann Arbor and Cincinnati. Luke's legacy will be fully realized as we share God's love with others.
Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your memories and condolences with Lukes' family on his tribute page.
The family is being cared for by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

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Published by The Holland Sentinel on Jul. 19, 2018.