Colby Roger Hildreth, was a beautiful 14 year old who enjoyed the outdoors, sports, animals and playing video games. He will be remembered for his BIG heart, how he loved to cook for his family and his caring for others above himself. Colby of Galion was diagnosed and passed away within 24 hours on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 from APML Leukemia at Akron Children’s Hospital.
He was born November 16, 2002 in Marion and was the son of Roger D. Hildreth and Tara A. (Welsh) Shaum.
Colby was currently a 7th grader at Northmor Schools and played on the Junior High Football Team and Powerlifting Team. He was a member of the Pleasant Grove Church of Christ in Mt. Gilead where he was active with the IMPACT youth group. Colby was also a member of the Friendly Farmers 4-H group in Morrow County. He enjoyed working on trucks and lawnmowers, fishing, boating, shooting guns, paintballing, movies, spending time at the lakes, collecting knives and raising chickens. Colby’s prized possession was his Xbox he received from his cousins. He loved camo, cowboy boots, jeans and some things that the average teenager wouldn’t be interested in such as Johnny Cash, Indiana Jones movies and AC/DC.
Colby is survived by his mom Tara (Jeremy) Shaum; father Roger (Lisa) Hildreth all of Galion; sisters Raygen Hildreth and Jillian Shaum both of Galion; step-brothers Dustin (Mike Medley) Hunter of Mansfield, Darick Hunter of Galion and Cory Hunter of Tiro; brothers-in-life Cameron Welsh, Air National Guard, Kuwait, Jacob Welsh, United States Army Reserve, Columbus and Ashby Welsh, United States Army, Colorado; maternal grandparents Ronald Eugene (Carol Jean) Rigsby of Lexington; maternal step-grandparents Jerry (Laura) Shaum of Ontario and Cindy (Gerry) Alt of New Washington; maternal step great-grandparents Emma Shaum of Mansfield and Ed (Lois) Bish of Gaffney, South Carolina; paternal step-grandparents Ron (Jeanette) Brown and Barb Shatzer all of Tiro; aunts and uncles Jerry (Cindy) Hildreth of Galion, David (Jennifer) Welsh of Galion, Nate (Carrie) Shaum of Caledonia, Rick (Jenn) Forsythe of Ontario and Arnie (Heather) Auck of New Washington; numerous cousins; his dog Merida and cats Ken and Catherine.
He is preceded in death by two angel siblings; paternal grandparents Carl (Ella) Hildreth and an Uncle Dennis Hildreth.
The family encourages people to wear camo, boots and jeans to the calling hours which will be from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 3, 2017 at the Pleasant Grove Church of Christ, 7197 County Road 46, Mt. Gilead 43338 where services will be held Saturday, March 4 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Jack Kegley officiating. Burial will be in Iberia Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the ER staff at Ohio Health Mansfield and the entire staff at Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric ICU staff and doctors for all the exceptional kindness and loving care which went beyond anyone’s imagination.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Morrow County in care of the funeral home.
Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes in Galion is honored to serve the family of Colby Hildreth, and condolences may be made to them at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
