Elijah James Minier

SAGOLA, Mich. - Sunday, July 26, 2015, heaven gained a beautiful boy, Elijah James Minier.

Elijah was born on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, or as he would say "Deer season," the son of Matthew and Kerry (Othoudt) Minier of Sagola.

Elijah was tenderhearted, kind, a wonderful brother, and a jokester. His love for animals was apparent in everything he did. He loved to fish, trap, camp, backpack, hike and ride his bike. His favorite activity was climbing trees. He had a great imagination and his days were spent playing with his brothers and conquering some desolate and faraway land, like Alaska or the mountains, in their backyard. He was also making new inventions. You never knew what was next when you saw his handsome face, goofy grin and beautiful smile.

Even though he was a rough and tough boy, he could be found in the kitchen in a pink apron helping his mom knead bread, bake cookies or eating. His favorite foods were spaghetti, his mom's beef stew and cornbread with honey on top. Many times he said he would like to marry his mom and live with her the rest of his life!

During his short 8 years of life, Elijah was a devout Christian. He had a strong faith in the Lord and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Attending church at the Old Fashioned Baptist Church in Ishpeming was very important to him.

In addition to his parents, Matt and Kerry, Elijah leaves his four brothers and best friends, Robert, Bryant, Josiah and Jonathan; and his four-legged side kick, Zeke. He also leaves his grandmothers, Deb (Joel Marohn) Othoudt, of Brook Park, Minn., and Barb (Ron Diener) Minier, of Gould City, Mich.; great-grandmothers, Marvel Seedorff, of Brook Park, Geraldine Othoudt, of Pine City, Minn., and Joyce Fehlhaber, of Wausau, Wis.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Marvin Othoudt and Robert Minier; his great-grandfathers, Gary Seedorff, John Othoudt and Lawrence Fehlhaber; and great-grandparents Jerome and Nettie Minier.

Visitation will be Saturday, Aug. 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Services will follow visitation at 4 p.m., at the funeral home. Pastor Rob Kemp will officiate. Burial will be in the Channing Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Minier family can be made in Elijah's name through the Old Fashioned Baptist Church, 321 S. Fourth Street, Ishpeming, MI 49849.

Condolences to the family of Elijah Minier may be expressed online at ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.