Obituary of Yerik Israel Toney

Yerik Israel Toney, born April 8, 2014 at 5:56pm (Korea time) at Samsung Medical Center, in Seoul, So Korea, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on November 22, 2014 at 5:23am (Korea time) at Samsung Medical Center, with his mother, Sharon Toney and his grandmother, Wanda Toney, by his side. Yerik was born a Preemie when Sharon was only 23 weeks pregnant, weighing only about 21 ounces; and when he passed, he had grown to about 7lbs and 12 ounces. Yerik fought off pneumonia at least five times, collapsed lungs a number of times, and cardiac arrest; but he eventually developed bronco pulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary hypertension, which he succumbed to. Yerik communicated well with so many people his Mom brought him in contact with through FaceTime and Skype as she shared him with the world during her daily visits with him. He would open his eyes to the sound of familiar voices like hers, Angel Batista, his Great Auntie Felicia Ramos, his cousins Deon Simmons, Adja Torres, Lori Torres, Kaila Williams, DesRine Landy, and Beverly Corley, Shannon Horace, his Grandma & Grandpa Wanda & Clifton Toney, Talitha Taylor, Retta Gloyd, Tasha Council and so many others. Along with the daily visits from his Mom, many members of her Army Unit at K-16, Seoul So. Korea came to enjoy spending time with him at the hospital. He grew accustomed to the caresses he would receive from Leidy Veras as she would gently put him to sleep. He stole the hearts of so many as we had such high hopes of recovery for him, but the Lord knew best and called him home. The family plans to have a private celebration of life service for Yerik, officiated by his Great Uncle, Bishop Kervin Herring with his wife, Shirley Herring, playing hymns of joy. The family would also like to thank those that played such an important and special role in Yerik’s life and for all that they have done to ease our pain. We appreciate the gestures, prayers, and acts of kindness. A special thank you to Chaplin Captain Dennis Jenson for all the time he spent at the hospital with Yerik during his final days and for the beautiful memorial service in honor of Yerik at K-16 in Seoul, So. Korea; Felicia Ramos for all the FaceTime spent with Yerik and for the celebration of life arrangements; Angel Batista, who was more than a father to him, for the daily FaceTime spent with Yerik, for taking care of his needs, and for taking a trip to So. Korea just to see him; and K-16 Army Unit for their unfailing support, flowers, and numerous donations. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Yerik Israel Toney Foundation for Preemies, PO Box 1452, Monticello, NY 12701. We would like to most graciously thank Anthony L. Perito, Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, NY 12788, Telephone: (845) 434-7363, for their expertise and professionalism in all they have done to make Yerik’s Celebration of Life something the family will cherish for years.