Garret James Bethke

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Submitted by: Deb Noethe
Born: 1986
Died: 2014
My Tribute: My beautiful 28 year son died of an heroin overdose on October 28, 2014. This is the most devastating experience of our lives. He was my youngest child and I still think that this is all just a bad dream.

Garret had just completed another rehab program in October. He had a new job to start and was looking forward to moving forward with his life. Until the relapse. I will never really know what happened those hours or days before his death. . Do we ever know why?

Garret loved music and art .He was a talented artist and musician. . His gift of love for every human being and his love of nature was incredible. He never judged anyone and taught me so much in his short life.

His 10 year struggle with this disease has been the most heartbreaking thing I have witnessed. His pain and struggle is now over. He is at peace and is finally happy and joyful forever now.

Garret did not die in vain. We have started a foundation to try and help others struggling. That’s what he would have wanted.
The garretbethkefoundation.org. We need to talk about this disease. I’m sick of the stigma and guilt and shame,. Enough! The heroin addiction in this country is an epidemic. Everywhere. Your town too. No one is left out. Awareness of what’s going on is essential.

I love and miss you my beautiful boy more than there are words. Peace and love to you always my son.

Your loving Mom xoxoxo

Ernest Wayne Rouse II

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Submitted by: Linda Rouse
Born: 1979
Died: 2014
My Tribute: I love and miss you more than you will ever know. The bond between a mother and her son can never be broken and I know that we will see each other again someday. Love Mom.

Brett Aaron Dominici

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Submitted by: Kim Goodwin
Born: 8/78
Died: 8/13
My Tribute: My only child, my one true love.

Indiana (Indy) Rain Wells

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Submitted by: Brigette Wells
Born: 1994
Died: 2014
My Tribute: Indy – I am missing you every moment of every day, but you are alive in my mind and heart. I am moving forward each day living the best life that I can in honor of you and the beautiful, loving and compassionate boy that you were in the 19 beautiful years that you shared with us. The days just keep passing by, and I cannot wait for the moment that I can hold you in my arms again. I love you so much!

Love, Mom
xoxoxo

My brother, Matt

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Submitted by: Sister
Born: 1980
Died: 2014
My Tribute: I hope you know somehow that although i was mad, I always always loved you. The incredible crushing weight of this guilt that i bear sadly does little to tribute your life.

Andrew Benjamin Smith

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Submitted by: Margie Borth
Born: 1990
Died: 2014
My Tribute: Two weeks ago today, I lost my beautiful 24-year-old son to the that thief that is heroin addiction.

The outpouring of grief from his friends and co-workers has been overwhelming and so sad. I just received a handwritten 2-page card in the mail today from a co-worker. His “crazy intelligence”, wit, humor and caring personality is missed by all and should never have been stolen from us.

He was so loved, yet he thought he was all alone. He has left behind a broken mother and family. I tried so hard to save him after rehab, but I just could not do it.

Corey & Jordan McCauley

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Submitted by: Mother Jeanmarie McCauley
Born:
Died: 2014
My Tribute: I loss 2 sons to overdoses Jordan age 20 11/18/92-4/11/13 and Corey 25 7/1/1989-10/0/2014, they are missed and loved by so many, there i’snt a day that goes by that i don’t miss that amazing smiles.

Holly Noel

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Submitted by: Tonda DaRe
Born: 1991
Died: 2012
My Tribute: Holly was very active in Speech and Drama in school. Everyone who met her (even if only once) loved her dearly and would tell you how a smile from her could change even your worst days into the best days. Like her father she had a laugh that was completely infectious! She won the Bell-Herron Idol her 8th grade year and from that point on her life was centered in music and the stage. She had no bias toward people and loved everyone no matter their race, religion or sexual orientation. She had roles (some leading) in each play and musical put on during her high school years. She was voted by her peers her senior year for Homecoming Court and Prom Court.
In March of 2011 she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. That April she turned 20.
For her 20th birthday she went out with her fiance for the weekend and I kept the baby. I found out later that she had already made arrangements to try heroin for the first time. It was her choice. No one forced her. She wanted to know what it was like.

Holly used heroin for only 4 months when we figured out what was going on. We got her the treatment she asked for and she was clean for just over a year when outside stresses made her feel she needed to use again. The best we can figure out between timeline, friends, coroner and doctors is that she used approximately 3-4 times in the last 2 weeks of her life and the last time the heroin she was sold was more pure (the coroner said three times the normal and he had never seen that before ~ in Stark Co alone, there were 13 deaths due to accidental heroin overdoses in 24 hours that day) than she had ever used. Without her knowledge she used what was a “normal” amount for her and it killed her instantly.
I like many others am now a soldier in a war I never knew was coming. I fight to change the face of heroin addiction, to bring awareness and education to those who think it could never happen to them and to be a pawn for anyone in need who has begun this fight before me to help them in their cause. I am a fighter and will continue to be for my husband, my other daughter, my grandson… my angel.

James Randall Deweese

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Submitted by: Randy and Ruth Deweese / parents
Born: 1982
Died: 2014
My Tribute: James was 31 when he died of a heroin overdose after bravely battling addiction. He was the “light of our lives and the darling of our hearts” to quote Abigail Adams after losing her son to alcohol addiction. From birth he showed such a life force; eyes wide open and ready for life’s adventure. He “dived iinto” his passions: reptiles, rollerblading, loving and raising big dogs. James was a friend to all who he encountered and was very accepting of others and their differences. His family enjoyed his sense of humor and keen insights. Our lives are better for the experiences we shared with James; however, his absense has left his family with a broken heart.

Brad Michael Meyers

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Submitted by: Robin DiClemente (His mom)
Born: 6/89
Died: 7/14
My Tribute: Brad was a vibrant young man with the world ahead of him. He was a draftsman working for a great company building submarines for the US Navy. He had a girlfriend and a loving family. He had everything going for him, except for his addictive personality. He didn’t want to do drugs, but was driven to it time and time again. Brad will be greatly missed and thought of everyday for the rest of my life. I love you my baby boy!