Isaiah M. Reeves

Isaiah Mathew Reeves, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, took his life on June 8, 2021. It was 4 days shy of his 17th birthday. He will be cremated, and a Celebration of Life is being planned. After the Celebration of Life, we plan to give him the freedom he did not have in life by sprinkling his remains in the most beautiful location, of each state in the USA.

From the beginning, Isaiah was a very inquisitive child. He was funny, LOVED to laugh and he loved to make others laugh, and in the last couple of years, we saw him flourish. His GPA increased and he would have been a Senior at Oshkosh West High School, during the 2021 – 2022 school year. He was a member of the Wisconsin Army Cadets, had made it to the rank of Cadet PFC (E-3), and was recently made a member of the Colorguard - all were accomplishments and goals he was immensely proud of. However, his biggest dream was to join the US Army when he turned 17 and go to bootcamp after his Senior year.

He had a beautiful life ahead of him, a family that loved him dearly, and plenty of goals that will remain unmet. The dreams of having his Senior portraits commemorate his unique personality, watching his reaction when he received his first car, helping him pick out the corsage for his prom date, and seeing him walk across the stage at High School graduation will never occur. Meeting the woman whom he wants to marry and helping him plan the wedding, watching him become a father, sending him care packages while he’s in bootcamp, and finding out how his career goals turn out are all no longer a reality for him or for us due to a single impulsive moment that no one can change or undo.

Please know, there is always hope! Remember, no matter how low you feel or how hopeless your situation may seem, it is NEVER to the point where you should feel like this world would be better off without you in it. Isaiah had a family that loved him and a beautiful life ahead of him. However, even with love, support, and stability he still somehow felt as if this world would be better off without him in it. Please, if someone tells you they are in a bad place or struggling, tell someone! Don’t let a friend or family member suffer in silence, assist them by getting them help. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help. You can also call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

In the end, Isaiah created his own legacy through organ donation. While we couldn’t keep him with our family, he helped others stay with their families and that makes him our eternal superhero. Instead of flowers, please visit his GoFundMe page and share the page with your friends and family. If you knew Isaiah, feel free to leave a message for Isaiah or share a story with his friends and family. At the very least, hug and kiss your children a little tighter today and enjoy being in the moment with them.