Evan Joseph Kreider

Evan Joseph Kreider, 5, of Palmyra, lost a courageous battle with a brain tumor, in the loving arms of his family on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. He was born Friday, May 30, 2008 in Hershey to David A. Kreider and Meredith M. Fausey-Kreider.

Evan was a member of Gravel Hill United Methodist Church, where he also attended Gravel Hill Christian Childcare. He enjoyed camping, riding his bike, kisses from his dog Sammy, and baseball. He cheered for the Phillies, the Steelers, and was his big brother Dylan’s #1 fan. Evan was warmly welcomed into the Nittany Nation THON family, where he and his family were supported and encouraged. He was a vivacious child with a contagious smile, defying the odds with his will to live. Through his battle with the brain tumor, Evan never complained, and became an inspiration to the lives he touched.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his paternal grandparents, Ronald J. Kreider of Annville and Cheryl Z. Lilley and husband Alex of Dallas, TX; maternal grandparents, James and Sandra Fausey of Palmyra; paternal great-grandmother, Barbara Zern of Harrisburg; maternal great-grandparents, Wayne Fausey of Bloomsburg and Don Geiwitz and wife Martha of Mercer; brother, Dylan P. Fausey; paternal aunt, Andrea Anderson of Katy, TX; maternal aunt, Emily Chase and husband Michael of Cochranton; and 5 cousins, Abigail and Brooklyn Anderson and Bailey, Brenna, and Brooklyn Chase. He is predeceased by paternal great-grandparents, Harry Zern and wife Ruth, Joseph Kreider and wife Sarah; and maternal great-grandmother, Dorothy Fausey.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, June 15th at 11 AM at Gravel Hill United Methodist Church, 131 Gravel Hill Rd., Palmyra, PA 17078 with Rev. Douglas Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Palmyra. Family and friends are invited for viewing on Friday, June 14th from 6-8 PM at Rothermel Funeral Home & Cremations Services, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra, and Saturday from 9 AM until time of the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Four Diamonds Fund Hershey, Office of University Development and Alumni Relations, 600 Centerview Dr., PO Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.rothermelfuneralhome.com .