The late Gavin from Geeburg, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly last night, leaving his family and community in shock and mourning. Gavin was just 21 years old, a young man full of life and plans for the future. His untimely death has devastated his family, including his mother Kim Barkelew, stepfather Joel Barkelew, father Duane, twin brothers Blake and Chase, sisters Shae and Alahna, and numerous other relatives and friends.
Nicole Hobbs, Gavin’s aunt, has started a GoFundMe campaign to support Kim Barkelew and her family during this difficult time. The fundraiser aims to raise $15,000 to help cover the costs of Gavin’s funeral and memorial expenses. As of now, $988 has been raised through 19 donations, with contributions from people like Jenny Newhard, Anthony Stratis, and Christopher Mowery.
Gavin was known for his quick wit, intelligence, and passion for sports, especially baseball and basketball. He had a love for Hawaiian shirts and was admired for his strength in managing Type 1 diabetes. His mother, Kim, who is also a nurse, found him a diabetic alert dog to assist him in his daily challenges.
The community has expressed their condolences and support through social media. Katelyn Marie Vega shared, "Please keep my family in prayer, especially Kim Barkelew & Joel Barkelew. My little cousin passed away late last night. We will always keep you in our memories Gavin, we love you and you will be very missed. R.I.P." Others like Michelle Dial, Tiffany Dickson, Ryan Vega, and Angelina ToStrong Martinez have also offered their prayers and support.
Leslie Jolie Danielle Romero added, "So sorry for your loss. May God bring you and your family much strength & comfort during this most difficult time," while Nikki Budd reflected, "My condolences. May the gods bring peace to your hearts knowing he is no longer fighting his demons but at rest."
Gavin’s passing has brought the community together, highlighting the collective grief and support during this heartbreaking time. The family appreciates any donations and the spreading of the GoFundMe link to help ease their financial burden and honor Gavin’s memory.
Note:This post was written and edited by Zoey Flores, based on their expertise and research. It is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. We welcome your feedback and questions on this content. Please feel free to contact us.