Sweet Damien André Smucker was our tiny miracle baby. He was welcomed into this world by his dad and mom on May 15, 2022. The Smucker and the Hurst families received the news of his birth with great joy. Everyone wondered what the future would hold for this little boy. Our greatest prayer was that Damien would grow up and that God could somehow use him mightily in the work of His kingdom here on earth. But little did we know that five weeks and one day later on June 21, 2022, Jesus would welcome Damien back into his arms in heaven. We can't imagine Damien's joy when for the first time he met his Uncle Ericson Hurst who died at three months of age, as well as all of his other family members who are in heaven.

Damien's life brought our family so much joy as our first child, the first grandbaby, and the first nephew. Looking back, we treasure each day God gave us to spend with him. Though his life was brief, Damien touched the lives of many people in his family and church community. Everyone, but especially Damien's family, will always have a Damien-sized hole in their hearts.

Damien will be deeply missed by many, especially by his parents, Conrad and Rhonda, and his grandparents, Anthony and Valerie Hurst, and John and Laura Smucker and all of his aunts and uncles— Janelle, Justin, Patrick, Sherilyn, Adrian, and Kristalyn Hurst—Austin (with Cherilyn Noecker), Derek, and Amanda Smucker, and Dustin and Allison Kauffman.

It is a difficult journey that today has more questions than answers. But in the midst of all our pain and our longing for Damien to still be here, we want to surrender to God's plan and do our best to give Him glory in every way.

Thank you today for your presence and for your support and care during this difficult experience.