Caleb Yinger

CALEB ANDREW YINGERWas just sixteen when he left us. So full of life, athletic, competitive, fun loving, kind and caring. The emotion of a moment took his life but not his spirit; his smile but not his soul. Safe in the arms of his Savior, Caleb knows the peace that passes understanding, and experiences the love that held every one of his days.BIRTH/ EARLY YEARSCaleb was born to this life, November 25, 1989 in Cheyenne, WY. His father, Mark, was gravely ill but lived to welcome and watch over his son through Caleb’s first seven months. His mother, Santha, made a vow to both of them and kept it with sacrificial love and devotion that never faltered. From the day she brought him home, Santha sang to Caleb every night – "Amazing Grace" and "I Love You Lord". It was the music that remained their theme song, long after the days of "lullabies". They spent hours together enjoying the simple things in nature and in each other. They chased squirrels at the forest preserve, took road trips together, and enjoyed the mutual solitude of an evening at Borders. They teased and laughed, wrestled and quipped with dueling wits that fueled each other. Caleb had a competitive spirit that longed for a challenge. If you wrestled Caleb, whether he won or lost, he made you wrestle a full six minutes. When he was on the soccer field his spirit soared, and when he was off the field, he continued to challenge himself to be himself, and to be his best in everything he did. His gift was words. When Caleb took the stage in a school play, his improvisational savvy created instant rapport with the audience. God used that same gift to help Caleb share his faith when asked to pray for his team or friends or a debate a point in model U.N. Caleb had both a grateful and generous heart and filled with compassion.. He possessed the kind of riches the world can neither give nor take away. Looking at his future he was debating between becoming a military explosive expert, a journalist or a "Doctor without borders". Like every teenager, he was filled ironic dichotomy. His sudden death is a puzzle piece that does not fit with what we know about Caleb. Perhaps that is because we can neither see his beginning nor his end. The God he trusted knows both and in His time, will fit our puzzle piece with His eternal plan for Caleb Andrew Yinger. Caleb is survived by his mother Santha of Elburn, His maternal grandparents Frank & Melodie Houk of Greybull, WY., his Maternal great-grandparents Vic & Bonnie Irvine of Cheyenne, WY., His Uncle Neil & Aunt Karla Ash of Fort Lupton, CO, his Uncle Kevin & Aunt Angela Houk of East Orange, New Jersey. His four cousins Austen, Jordan and Brendan Ash of Fort Lupton, CO and Miles Houk of East Orange, New Jersey.He is preceded in death by his father Mark.He also leaves a family of friends and lives he never knew he touched. Memorials:A memorial has been established to remember Caleb. Memorial checks may be made to the Caleb Yinger Memorial and mailed in his name in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Arrangements for Caleb’s service entrusted to Conley Funeral Home, Elburn. For information you may visit www.conleycare.com or call 1-800-8-CONLEY.

All are invited to join his family to celebrate the gift of Caleb’s life, by sharing memories at an "open house visitation" Monday, February 13, from 3-9pm at Christ Community Church, 37W100 Bolcum Rd., St. Charles, Il 60175. So that all may attend his funeral service, it will be held Tuesday evening at the church, beginning promptly at 7pm. Burial will be private. Please bring a memory to share at visitation; a note, a picture or an object. These special things may be placed with Caleb, posted on his memory wall or displayed among the various "sharing centers" that are planned for the open house in the church atrium.

Interment will be private