Reed Crosby Havlik

BLAKESLEY, HAVLIK, HENDERSON, MEALHOW, OHRT

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 12/24/2024 at 20:40:22

Reed Crosby Havlik - 12 years old - ran valiantly into Jesus's arms on Thursday, December 19th, 2024, after 10 years of battling Vanishing White Matter Disease. We rejoice in knowing Reed is finally free of the shackles that Vanishing White Matter Disease put on his body, now able to run free. We imagine him laughing his infectious laugh, running the bases of the baseball field free of his wheelchair, and swinging his golf clubs. We know he has found his great grandma’s lap to snuggle up on - a placeholder for his mama - where he spent so much of his precious time on Earth.

Reed was born December 3, 2012, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Jesse and Erika Havlik. He was a beautiful baby boy with a full head of dark hair. While his life was unfair, as he was robbed of a normal childhood, he was truly the light that everyone needed. He never questioned his circumstances and never asked why.

Reed was a 6th grader at Jesup Community School and had a smile that lit up the room; he was a friend to all he met. Reed loved hard. Among his most loved things were deep conversations with his daddy, the color green, steak, Playmobil, golf cart rides, crazy socks, and reading silly books. Reed had a touch of FOMO and absolutely loved whatever fun happened to come his way.

Reed was cherished by his family and many dear friends; his impact was far-reaching and profound. Among his beloved family are Reed’s parents, Jesse and Erika Havlik; Reed’s grandparents, Scott and Cynthia Mealhow of Jesup, Steve and Kim Havlik of Jesup; Loretta Havlik of Jesup, and great grandfather Kenneth Mealhow of Jesup; Reed’s aunts, Andrea and Brad Henderson (Jordan, Isla, Naomi) of Jesup, Becca and Forest Blakesley (Thomas, Henry) of Waterloo, and Halsey and Judd Ohrt (Raelynn) of Jesup.

A visitation to honor Reed’s memory will be held on Friday, December 27, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Jesup Bible Fellowship. Following the visitation, Reed will be cremated and will come home to be with us.

In the future, our family hopes to hold a celebration of life that reflects what Reed loved most: spending time outdoors in the sunshine.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask for donations to Team Reed. These contributions will help establish a legacy in Reed’s honor, support local community projects, create a scholarship fund for Reed’s classmates in the Class of 2031, and continue research into VWM.

Donations may be made to the Team Reed account established at Farmer’s State Bank in Jesup or via the GoFundMe donation link at www.teamreedcrosby.com.