| Graduation Year | Class of 2014 |
| Date of Passing | Aug 26, 2022 |
| About | On Friday, August 26, 2022, Dylan Wyatt Kirschner, passed away at the young age of 26, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Dylan was born in Wrangell, Alaska, on February 16, 1996, and moved to the Yakima area with his parents and younger brother, Dawson, in 2001. He was a fun and adventurous young man. Growing up, he suffered many scrapes, bruises and broken bones while skateboarding, biking, climbing trees or jumping off of swings. He was a voracious reader from an early age, who spent most of his school recesses in the library reading or helping the librarians. Dylan was also an avid video gamer and music lover who learned to play guitar and ukulele. He played as much as his free time allowed. We will all dearly miss hearing him play. Though Dylan moved from Alaska when he was very young, he remained an Alaskan at heart, and held a deep love for the state and its lifestyle. After graduating with Yakima's Eisenhower class of 2014, Dylan began splitting his time between Yakima and Southeast Alaska. During the fishing seasons, he worked alongside co-workers with whom he quickly developed close, lasting friendships. When he wasn't working, his time was spent exploring the wilds of Alaska or hanging out with his family and friends. In 2017, Dylan and his high school sweetheart, Megan Gillespie, welcomed their first child, Autumn, with open arms. Around this time, to support his young family, Dylan began working at Safeway, a job he deeply enjoyed because of the many close friendships he made there. With his hard work, he was eventually promoted to department manager. Dylan's second child, Mason, was born in 2019. Mason made his appearance so suddenly, that Dylan had to help deliver his son at home! Dylan loved his children more than life itself and was completely devoted from the moment they were born. It was a common joke amongst family that all the grandmas had to fight him off just for a turn to hold those sweet babies. He was an amazingly fun, hands-on father and it was a joy to watch him with his children. Dylan was a hardworking, kindhearted, and mischievous guy who was loved by everyone. We've lost count of the number of people who have told us, "He was one of my best friends." It has been wonderful hearing so many stories of his kindness, pranks, and silly nature. We will all miss his quick smile and laughter. Dylan was loved and cherished beyond his ability to comprehend, and his passing will leave holes in our hearts forever. He is survived by his children, Autumn and Mason, mother, Brandi (Jason) Walters, father, Shea (Patty) Kirschner, brother, Dawson Kirschner, grandparents, Terri (Steve) Henson, Mike and Kathi Kirschner, Bruce (Carla) Smith and his great-grandparents, Huey and Jackie Smith and Margaret Hullinger. There is also a long list of beloved uncles, aunts and cousins who are too numerous to name individually. Dylan's entire family thanks the staff at Memorial's Cottage in the Meadow for taking such amazing care of him and us during this incredibly difficult time. We couldn't have cared for him in the ways he needed without your help. We are forever grateful. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2022 at 1:00 pm at Shaw & Sons Funeral Home (201 N. 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 98901). Shaw & Sons Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.shawandsons.com. |
