Espyn Troy DeBoer, 4 months, Newell, died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006, at Lookout Memorial Hospital in Spearfish.

Visitation was Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel and Monday one hour prior to the services at the church.

Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 20, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis, with Pastor Harold Delbridge and Pastor Sean Carney officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery.

Espyn joined the family of Michelle, Donavan, Paityn and Jaivyn DeBoer on Oct. 13, 2005. Though we only were blessed with Espyn for a brief while, he will remain in our hearts forever.

Espyn had an enormous smile that would brighten anyone's day. He was his own little man; a cuddler with bright blue eyes and always under the watchful eyes of his brother and sister who adored him.

Espyn means "Angel of Hope" - now our little angel continues to give us more … a hope for eternal life when we can hold him again.

We love you. Rest in peace, our darling baby.

Survivors include his parents, Donavan and Michelle DeBoer, Newell; one brother, Jaivyn and one sister, Paityn, both of Newell; paternal grandparents, Donn and Nancy DeBoer, Chamberlain; maternal grandparents, Karl and Neoma Richter, Enning; great-grandparents, Marian and Woody Truman, Canton, Dale and Valonta Cleland, Beresford, and Jeanette Brink, Sturgis; special friend, Ramona Adams; and numerous loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Joe and Elsie Richter; Delmar Brink; and George and Leone DeBoer.

A memorial has been established.