Nathan Cheffers

Nathan Jerome Francis Cheffers (age 5) passed away on October 14th in the loving arms of his mother and father and was carried to the throne of Christ by Our Blessed Mother. Natey was brave, funny, handsome, and a delight to all who had the privilege of knowing him. His smile, from some of the earliest moments of his life, could melt any heart and brighten any soul.

He loved gifts and toys, both giving and receiving. And he loved birthdays. In the last few months, he shared a birthday with his big sister, daddy, and his little brother James Henry--making him "8" years old. Natey had a great sense of humor; he loved saying silly things, quoting movies, and doing anything that would make us laugh. He loved to make us smile and even in the depths of his suffering, he truly thought about others first. Natey would plan gifts months in advance, let his big sister Reesie pick the movies they would watch, and remind mom and dad to play Jamie's favorite songs in the car when he was crying.

Natey really loved music. Even as a baby he would dance. As he got older, he would belt out songs. The day he was diagnosed, as his parents sat in the hospital room crying, he played on the floor with a new toy singing "God is bigger than the boogieman," an early favorite of his. More recently he had taken to belting out Bon Jovi's "You give love a bad name." He was full of so much spirit and love for life, even during the times when he was sick from chemotherapy or suffering from the effects of his illness.

He also loved Jesus. He was confirmed and received first Holy Communion at the age of two in the Melkite Catholic Church. Daily reception of the Holy Eucharist was a source of solace and peace in the last few months of his life. He told us many times in his last few months that he was suffering with Jesus for the conversion of sinners. He courageously and selflessly fulfilled his Divine Will plan and purpose on this earth. Natey prayed and suffered so that everyone would come into Christ's Kingdom, and, in that measure, his life was not cut short but was overflowing and too big for this life.

He was small, but his departure has left a huge hole in our hearts and home, and the hearts of all who knew him. We intend to follow him in God's time. We will be asking for Natey's intercession, and invite you to join in our prayer, that we all find our way home to the Throne of God.

Nathan leaves behind his parents, Annie and John Cheffers, his sister, Therese, his brother, James Henry, his maternal grandparents, Russell and Kathleen Bateman, paternal grandparents, Mark and Grace Cheffers, Godparents, Paul and Grace Demasi, and great-grandmothers, Gillian Bateman, Sara Kuplack, and Margaret Cheffers. He also leaves behind his aunts and uncles, and many cousins (some of whom were his best friends), who will miss him terribly.

Nathan's funeral will be Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 10:00 AM at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church of Scranton, 430 North Seventh Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503.

For all who would like to pay their respects, there will be a viewing Saturday morning from 8:30-9:45 AM in the church.

Interment will be Saturday in East Canaan Cemetery, St. Tikhon's Road, Waymart, PA. Reception to follow interment.

Memorial Donations for Nathan's Services & Family Expenses may be made below on this memorial page.

Arrangements are entrusted to Howell Family Funeral Home, Inc., Edward R. Howell, Funeral Director, 269 Belmont Street, Waymart, PA 18472. www.HowellFamilyFuneralHome.com