Cole Bryant Sandefer , 17 months
Cole Bryant Sandefer , 17 months
Cole Bryant Sandefer passed away Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, at the family home in Stevensville, Md. His parents, Jesse and Alayna (Lanie) Sandefer formerly of Columbia Falls, and brothers, Chase Schulte and Cody Sandefer, were by his side.
He was born Aug. 17, 2010, in Charlottesville, Va. The family moved to Maryland in June of 2011.
Cole was diagnosed with rhabdoid tumors, a rare form of childhood cancer, in October 2011.
For three months he battled through chemotherapy treatments at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Throughout his treatments he remained bright-eyed, active and happy. After long days of chemotherapy he would come home full of energy and ready to play with his older brothers. In January 2012, Cole’s conditioned worsened and he was transitioned to Home Hospice care where he ultimately lost his battle.
Survivors include his loving parents and brothers; grandparents, Laurie Shay of Kalispell, Lynn and Joan Sandefer, Bill Schulte and Dusty Dusterhoff of Columbia Falls, and Lynn Mehring of Hendersonville, N.C. Other survivors are aunts and uncles, Holly Sandefer of Hendersonville, Anna, Sarah and Emily Downen of Columbia Falls, and Jay Dusterhoff of Seattle; special aunt, Mary Tingley, of Mount Airy, Md.; great-grandparents, Janet Sandefer, Gladys Shay and Josephine Dusterhoff of Columbia Falls, Fred and Lenore Mehring of Hungry Horse, and Edith Mason of Kalispell. Cole is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Cole was preceded in death by his uncle, Russell Schulte; and great-grandparents, Bryant Sandefer, Joan Mehring, Al Shay, Leo Schulte and Bud Dusterhoff.
Funeral services for Cole Bryant Sandefer will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Fellowship Alliance Church, 1025 Seventh Ave. W., Columbia Falls. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of Columbia Mortuary. A potluck reception will follow at Fellowship Alliance Church. Viewing takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at Columbia Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations can be made to the "Itty Bitty Fundraiser" via Facebook; or mailed to 203 Oakwood Lane, Stevensville, MD 21666, where they will be directed to treat childhood cancer at Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C.