Gavin LeRoy Emerson, infant son, of James and Melynda (Scheffel) Emerson, of Ames, Iowa, was born at 6:37 p.m., September 13, 2012, at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.
He weighed 1 lb., 11 ¼ oz. and was 13 in. long. Gavin was diagnosed with Trisome 18. He was baptized and went from his parents' loving arms to be held by God at 9:05 p.m. Baby Gavin and his family were the first family to be served by the newly organized Neonatology Palliative Care Program at the Des Moines Methodist Hospital. The program, learned from Gavin, of what can be done to help other families, whose babies' lives end too soon. James and Melynda feel truly blessed.
Gavin LeRoy is survived by his parents; grandparents, Kevin and Janice Emerson, of Dorchester, Iowa, Scott and Dorene (Leu) Scheffel, of Council Bluffs; great grandparents, Ardis Scheffel and the late Dr. Melvin Scheffel, of Council Bluffs, Eugene and Lois Leu, of Hastings, Iowa, Oliver Emerson, of Waukon, Iowa; aunts, uncles, and cousins; and many people whose lives he touched in preparation for his birth and the short life he lived.
A private family service was held at the hospital shortly after his passing. Gavin was cremated and a memorial fund has been established. The family will direct the memorials to the Neonatology Palliative Care Program or Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, of Des Moines, a volunteer, professional photography organization who took pictures and created many memories of baby Gavin's life. Hamilton Funeral Home of Des Moines in charge of arrangements.
This obituary was originally published in The Daily Nonpareil.
