WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Zealen Garrett Shears, 10-month-old son of Halen and Amanda (Haines) Shears of Kalamazoo, passed away early Tuesday morning, Oct. 2, 2012, at Mott Children ‘s Research Hospital in Ann Arbor.
Zealen was born Nov. 7, 2011, in Kalamazoo.
Even though Zealen wasn’t in this world for long, he will have an everlasting impact on many lives. He had an amazing fighting spirit and the contagious smile and laugh. He not only taught us how to be better people, he brought invaluable knowledge to the medical community during and after his life. He is saving lives through donation and medical education. He did everything from beginning to end on his own time. Some of his favorite things are sharing bananas with his daddy, baths with his mommy, morning ’toons and trips to the zoo. Even though God took him from our arms early Tuesday he will stay in our hearts forever. We always told him to just keep swimming, but really he was meant to fly. God has given him his angel wings.
He is survived by his loving and dedicated parents; grandparents, Kelly and Dan Fitzgerald of Constantine, Robin and Dale Patzkowsky of Niles and Theresa Haines of North Carolina; great-grandmothers Jackie Malone and Dorothy Morros; an aunt, Kieran Fitzgerald; two uncles, Brady Shears and Zack Shears; godmother, Emilee Komins; honorary aunts and uncle, Samantha Haines, Tonya Geesman and Amanda and Corey Ross; his pets, Ziggy and Chevelle; and several great-aunts, great-uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Corky Haines; great-grandparents Sheldon Malone and Barbara Schiele; and a great-uncle.
In accordance with family wishes, cremation has taken place. A gathering of family and friends to celebrate and honor the life of Zealen Shears will take place from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at Chapel Hill Missionary Church, 14525 Chapel Hill St., Union.
Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis, is entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorial donations to the family would be appreciate, c/o Halen Shears, 66122 Halfway Road, Burr Oak, MI 49030.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
