Kaila Cheyanne Cearbaugh

Kaila Cheyanne Cearbaugh was the life of every party and lived her life to the fullest. Her compassionate way of being was evident through her love of working with special needs children, caring for animals and her connection to the outdoors. She was a kind-hearted person who saw the good in everyone. Kaila loved to make others laugh and her smile could light up any room. Taken too soon, she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Reflecting on the year 1993, technology was rising with the first bagless vacuum cleaner, Intel introduced the Pentium Processor and the World Wide Web was born! During this time, Kelly Meredith and Ashley Anne (Dunn) Cearbaugh welcomed home with pride their first born daughter, Kaila on Tuesday, October 12th. Kaila brought much joy into their lives. Two years later, she became the older sister to Drew Ashley. The two of them were especially close as siblings.

As a young girl, Kaila had an adventurous spirit! She very much enjoyed spending time in nature by playing outdoors and in the woods. Kaila had no fear when it came to exploration. She was often the first one to turn over a rock, reach her hand into a hole, and search for critters including snakes! As an adolescent, she fell in love with the fast growing sport of soccer. She was one of Indian Springs soccer players and carried her love of the sport into her high school years. In addition to playing soccer, she also was on the cheerleading squad as a middle school student. While in high school, Kaila found her niche working with children with her first job with the Columbia City YMCA childrens program. She was never one to remain idle and graduated with the Class of 2012 from Columbia City High School. Soon after graduation, Kaila enrolled at Ivy Tech Community College to pursue her interest in elementary education. While working at Mary Raber Elementary School and being inspired by her mother to work with children with special needs, she started working as a resource assistant at Columbia High in April of 2016.

Kaila was born with an innate love of animals. Whether they were domesticated or wild, it did not matter. Her tender heart could spot an animal in need anywhere! One day when she and a friend were leaving work at the YMCA, she spotted an abandoned Canadian goose chick. She suitably named it Baby, took it home, and nurtured it back to health. As the goose grew, healed, and was learning to fly, it was known to fly down the driveway beside the cars! She enjoyed several summers participating with 4-H. She showed cows which she aptly named, Rudy and Chuck. Her family grew to accept her quirky love of any furry creature, even allowing her to start raising chickens and collecting their eggs after bringing home a chick and then buying more from the local Tractor Supply Company store! Besides caring for animals, she also enjoyed many hunting trips with her dad. They hunted for everything from squirrels, to turkeys, and deer! On one such trip, Kaila even bagged her own buck! When they werent hunting, she also relished in the days they would fish together, especially salmon fishing! Given the choice between watching movies or heading outdoors, she picked nature every time!

Kaila was a fun-loving, energetic woman who adored her family and friends. Even during her busy days of juggling school and work, she never missed a family gathering. Being with her family was important and even if she could only stay a short time, she loved to be there to make sure that everyone was having a good time. Kaila was often quoting movies or cracking jokes just to make others laugh. She also enjoyed many wonderful family camping vacations over the years. Some of her favorite places to visit were the beautiful parks of Yellowstone in Wyoming or Turkey Run and Shakamak in Indiana.

Tragically, Kailas young life end on the morning of Friday, August 26, 2016 from injuries sustained from results of an auto accident on U.S. 30 near Larwill while driving to work. Her warm sense of humor, caring nature and big heart will forever be remembered by the wonderful collection of memories she leaves behind.

Kaila Cheyanne Cearbaugh, 22, of Larwill, Indiana, passed away Friday, August 26, 2016 at 9:53 a.m. She had attended Community of Hope and had accepted Christ into her life. She is survived by her loving family, which includes her parents, Kelly M. and Ashley A. Cearbaugh, of Larwill; sister, Drew A. Cearbaugh, of Larwill; maternal grandfather, Errol (Sandy Wysong) Dunn, of Columbia City; paternal grandparents, Fred and Sharon Cearbaugh, of Columbia City; maternal great-grandmother, Betty (Smitley) Rump, of New Port Richey, Florida; uncles and aunts, Kent and Linda Cearbaugh, of Columbia City, Kevin and Paula Cearbaugh, of Columbia City, Darrin and Lori Dunn, of Albion and Meghan and Trent Lawrence, of Tacoma, Washington; nephew, Elias Wiggins, of Larwill; and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Becky (Rump) Dunn; and great-grandfather, Don Rump.

Visitation is 1-8 p.m. Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Pastor Dan Gregory officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her grandma Becky at Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial donations may be made towards funeral expenses, in care of DeMoney-Grimes. To send the family online condolences or light a candle in her memory, visit www.demoneygrimes.com or sign the guest registry book.