Obituaries

Ethan William Van Aulen, 16

December 22, 2016

Ethan William Van Aulen, 16, of Mount Joy, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday December 22, 2016. Born in Lancaster on August 23, 2000, he was the son of Barbara A. Van Aulen and the late Scott A. Gibson.
Ethan attended Elizabethtown area schools from Kindergarten to 7th grade and attended 8th through 10th grade within the Donegal School District. Ethan wrestled on the Donegal Jr. High School wrestling team in the 8th and 9th grades, where he was welcomed by a very supportive team of coaches and students. Ethan was active in Cub Scouting from a young age and was currently a Patrol Leader with the Boy Scout Troop #53 in Maytown. He was concentrating on earning his Star, Life, and Eagle ranks. Ethan was a Four Diamonds Child through Penn State Hershey Medical Center as he battled and beat brain cancer at the age of 7. He looked forward to the big Penn State Dance Marathon every year, and he was sponsored by the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and the Sigma Kappa Sorority of Penn State. Ethan also looked forward to meeting up with all of his friends and counselors each summer at Camp Can Do, Mount Gretna, a camp designated for childhood cancer survivors.
Ethan was a fun loving and kind hearted young man who put others before himself. He had a wonderful sense of humor, loved to joke around and brought a smile to the face of anybody he crossed paths with. Ethan had an intense passion for animals, especially cats in which he loved to photograph. He leaves behind his beloved cats named Milo, Everest, Maddie, and Cocoa, and his dog Rebecca. Ethan’s goal was to work with animals, becoming a vet assistant, work in the computer and graphic arts field, or fly drones for the government, which was another favorite hobby. He loved educating himself on drones and owned a collection of them in which he exceled in flying and showing off. He liked sports cars, playing on his cell phone, talking on his cell phone to family and friends, especially his Mom, his Uncle Danny, his Grandma Van Aulen, his Aunt Danielle and his cousin Jenna. Other hobbies included playing on his PS4 and computers. In addition to the many camping activities he did with his fellow scouts, he liked riding his bike, loved fishing, and playing basketball. He loved a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies, deeming his mother’s the best around and loved his Grandma’s cooking.
Ethan meant the world to his family and his family to him. He was a strong and admirable person who bravely survived cancer and the death of his father during his short life. He was supported and loved by so many family, friends and teachers. He looked forward to going to school every day because of his friend and mentor, Mr. Josh Rittenhouse, at Donegal High School.
Ethan is resting in peace now with God and his father but will be sadly missed and never forgotten.
Surviving in addition to his mother, Barbara, who he called “Moom” and shared a very special bond with, are his maternal grandparents, Linda A. Van Aulen, of Lancaster, Daniel J. Van Aulen, of Lancaster; three loving aunts Jenny Heberlein, of Lancaster, Laurie Van Aulen, of Elizabethtown, Danielle Van Aulen-Roe, of Studio City, CA; two uncles, Daniel Van Aulen and Raymond Arment, both of Lancaster, and cousins Jenna, James, Jessica, Charlotte & Izayah.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Funeral Service at 3PM on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. A viewing will be held on Thursday from 1 to 3pm at the Funeral Home before the service. In lieu flowers, contributions may be made to the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, 1249 Cocoa Ave., Suite 115, P.O. Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033 or Pet Pantry of Lancaster County, 26 Millersville Rd., Lancaster, PA 17603.

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Condolences to the Family

December 21, 2017

i miss you so much 

May 27, 2017

it leaves me heart broken every day knowing that people are so nasty and rude and disrespectful saying and making memes about Ethan he does not deserve this and netheir does any one els its just so sad to watch people get bullied to the point ware they say to them selves i cant take it any more and kill them selves i loved Ethan and always will i hope this all comes to an end and we get peace for Ethan love you bro. Sam Pearson

May 16, 2017

I can’t believe ethan is actually gone i can’t believe I watched it all happen on face time i love him so much I care so much I’ll never forget him he was everything to me he was my other half my best friend fly high ethan I love you more then anything always have always will -paige 

January 13, 2017

Pet Pantry of Lancaster County, received a donation from Bear Creek School (Mrs. Darlene Buckwalter, Mrs. Christina Minder, Mrs. Carol Nolt, Mrs. Danielle O’Harren, Mrs. Melissa Robinson, and Mr. William Dietz) in memory of Ethan. We will use this donation to make difference to cats and dogs in need.

December 31, 2016

My deepest sympathy to the family of this young man. I was deeply saddened to read about his death and I know that your grief must be overwhelming. I do hope that in time you can find comfort in the caring thoughts of friends, the love of family, and in your sweet memories. May you also find some comfort in knowing that “God is near to those who are brokenhearted and crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Please accept my sincere condolences at this sad time. Linda Morgans

December 29, 2016

Barbara,  I am so very sorry for the loss of your Son, I can not imagine how much your heart must ache.  I always enjoyed seeing Ethan when you would both come in for your visits.  And it was always so obvious how much you loved him.
God Bless you and your Family, especially at this difficult time.  I promise to pray for you.   
                                                            Colleen  (from your eye drs office)

December 29, 2016

 I am so sorry for the family’s loss of Ethan.  I enjoyed his sense of humor and love of cats.  He will be sadly missed, but know his family and friends will contine to have fond memories of such a kindhearted young man.
Mr. Dietz

December 28, 2016

The THON organization of Gamma Phi Beta and Acacia sends throughts and prayer to Ethan’s friends and family, FTK always. 

December 28, 2016

A bright spot has left this earth but there will always wonderful parts that we can hold and remember. Ethan’s smile, laughter, his sense of humor and always his love of animals which is something his whole family gave him. 
Peace prayers to all of the Van Aulen family.
Bobbi and Jim Nagle

December 27, 2016

To Barbara and the whole Van Aulen family,I’m so sorry to hear about Ethan… I hadn’t met him, but from everything I read he sounded like a wonderful and kind-hearted person. Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss.Love, Alicia Freile

December 27, 2016

Dearest friend Barbara, I’m so saddened for you!! My heart hurts with yours, its unimaginable the pain you’re experiencing right now. Ethan was blessed to have you as his mother, you loved him more than yourself and went above and beyond to make sure he was happy, healthy, and protected. He was your world and reason for living. Now you can continue to live your life for him, but in a different way. His legacy lives on through you. I’m grieved that I’m not able to fly out to attend his celebration of life. I will be there with you in thoughts and spirits. Please know we all care for you and your son. I love you friend and always here for you. Praying for you each passing day. Love, Kim-Sue Knight 

December 27, 2016

So sorry Barbara to hear of your son’s passing. He was a good kid, and I was glad to have met him and spent some time with you both. 
David R. Bruno

December 27, 2016

I am so sorry and I will miss seeing Ethan each day at Donegal. I worked with him occasionally in the library and he was always polite and kind to everyone. He had an infectious smile and was a sweet soul. My deepest sympathies to you and to your family. My heart breaks for you.  Mrs. Farmer

December 27, 2016

Barbara,
We were saddened to read of Ethan’s passing. We were well aware that he was an integral part of your life and how hard you always fought for his well-being. We know that you will miss him and may God be with you and your family at this difficult time.
Jim and Lois Ray

December 27, 2016

I am so sorry and saddened to hear of your loss. I helped in Ethan’s 6th grade science class. When I heard about Ethan, I immediately remembered him and his quirky sense of humor, and wanted you to know he will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Carol Nolt

December 27, 2016

Barbra- I’m deeply sadden to read the passing of Ethan. Ethan was not only your son, but your good companion. You provided excellent care to him as a mother, and your dedication to him is praise worthy. Ethan as a young boy was so full of life that when he’d visit the clinic he’d run all over to see all the animals in the clinic. You nursed him when he was sick, that was sad to everyone, but thank goodness he would pull through. He was your pride and joy, and an important part of your life. I pray to the lord, he gives you courage and patience to bare this great loss. If I can be of any help, please let me know.
Sincere regards and love, Dr. Nasir Shah
 

December 27, 2016

We didn’t know Ethan or your family, but my husband and I are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Please know that we are thinking and praying for you and your family. What a tremendous loss, but also a blessing to have had him for 16 years! May the memories comfort you and God bless you at this difficult time. Prayers, Lisa and Mike Miranda

December 27, 2016

Barbie- I’m so very sorry for your loss. There are no words to take away the unimaginable pain you must be feeling. Praying for strength to help you move forward and celebrate Ethan’s life. Love & hugs, Kristen Stine

December 26, 2016

Barbie – I was shocked and saddened to hear of Ethan’s death and can’t imagine the heartache you must be feeling.  I know there are no words to adequately ease your pain.  Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family as you mourn his passing. 
Jennifer Martin

December 26, 2016

So very grieved to hear this news. I did not know Ethan, but my heart aches at his life cut short, and for the terrible hole left in your lives.
Emily (Elizabethtown)

December 26, 2016

I am so very sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and the family. the Oatman Family 

December 26, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss! My heart & prayers go out to you! I worked at DGMS in the cafeteria when Ethan went there. I want to let you know that we the cashiers also looked out for him! We made sure that the other students did not take advantage of his kind heart & wanting to be accepted by his peers! Their was some that tried to take advantage by having him buy them snacks & we knew who was sincere & who was not! We did not allow those that were not sincere to use him! I worked on ice cream snack line so i had the daily pleasure of him coming through my line! he always made me smile! May God comfort you threw this loss!. sincerely Jody Shepler

December 26, 2016

Barbara, I am so very sorry for your loss. I know Ethan was your entire world. He is now in his heavenly father’s hands who will keep him safe from all harm. I wanted you to know that I am here for you if you need to talk or even just a hug .I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Love you.

December 26, 2016

I did not know Ethan personally, but as a teacher at Donegal High School, I knew his face.  I am so sorry for this painful time.  
Mrs. Barria

December 26, 2016

Ethan our family will never be the same without you. Our hearts are broken and we will miss you forever and you will be on my mind every day. You are so loved and important to all of us. I love you Ethan your Aunt Laurie.

December 26, 2016

Ethan was a very smart and loving child… I heard him interact with his mother several times over the years and it was apparent that they had a very strong bond and a lot of fun together… I know that this will be very hard on Barbara, but I want you to know I am always here to help you..He is in heaven amongst other angels.. Love, your friend Karen

December 26, 2016

I am so sad about your loss of ethan . He was an amazing wonderfull young man. I will treasure all the memories I have of him. Through scouts and daycare.  I no he was your world and he was your. I can not express in words how said I am
 

December 26, 2016

We were surprised and saddened to hear of Ethan’s passing.  We have many fond memories of Ethan – scouts, birthday parties, boating on the river …  We will always be grateful for the time we had and the laughs we shared.  Our deepest condolences to Ethan’s family.
The Arnolds

December 26, 2016

Prayers for peace and comfort during this difficult time.  My son had some classes with Ethan last year and he said Ethan was such a nice guy.

December 26, 2016

Barb, I am so very sorry, there are no words just that I am so sorry!. You were a good mom to Ethan, you went through so much together.  I’ve been and will continue to pray for God to be very near to you and give you the peace and strength that you need.  
 Lois Blake

December 26, 2016

I did not have the pleasure of knowing this amazing boy, but want to convey my deepest sympathies to the family on his passing. May he rest in Heavenly Peace.

Visitation
Thursday, December 29, 2016
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
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Services
Thursday, December 29, 2016
3:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
Map and Directions

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