Maximilian John Pio Gabbard (2021-2021)

GABBARD

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 12/15/2021 at 11:32:34

Obituary for Maximilian John Pio Gabbard
Maximilian John Pio was born Aug. 19, 2021. He is named after St. Maximilian Kolbe, St John the Baptist, and St Padre Pio. His confirmation name is St. Irenaeus.

Maximilian was born premature at 34 weeks and from the beginning was not healthy. Maximilian was given the same cross of suffering as his deceased brothers, Xavier and Benjamin. They were all born with a genetic, peroxisomal disorder that does not allow cells to function, effecting all organs and systems especially the nervous system. Life expectancy was less than one year.

Maximilian suffered every day from this disorder. A total of nine weeks of his life were spent in the hospital with many tests, procedures and surgeries done. He was able to stay home for the last 4 weeks of his life under the very watchful care, love and hugs of his family. So many family and friends were able to visit and hold him. The nurse said he received more love in his short 4 months than most people get in their lifetime. He touched the lives of so many people. Maximilian passed away on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12, 2021 at home.

He will be greatly missed by his loving parents, Matthew and Elizabeth Gabbard; siblings, Alexander, Zachary, Hannah, Ignatius, Veronica, Ambrose, Helena and Augustine; grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, caregivers and friends. Maximilian joins his two brothers, Xavier and Benjamin in Heaven.

A Latin Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 18, 2021 at St. Iranaeus Catholic Chapel, 2811 N 2nd St, Clinton, Iowa. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll, and a luncheon will follow at the Mt. Carroll Church of God. Visitation will be held from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 17, 2021 at the Law Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll, with a Rosary Service at 7:00 p.m., and also 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Saturday, prior to the Mass at St. Iranaeus Chapel in Clinton.

Memorials may be given to the GoFundMe page in Maximilian's honor: https://gofund.me/e87f69dd

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