Ethan Christopher Elder, age 15, the middle child of five, went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 11, 2021. Born to Christopher and Wendy Elder on February 25, 2006, in Wilmington, North Carolina. He shared a love for shooting guns and knives with his father. He would proudly volunteer to help his mother with cooking. He enjoyed playing video games with his sisters, cheering in victory. He would show his older sister his drawings of his favorite anime characters. He would fill the silence with banter or burst into song. He loved to use his imagination, telling stories, and making up contests with himself and his sisters. He played basketball with his Papì and played pretend with his Nana. He’d watch movies and tv shows every night with his family. Ethan undeniably loved the Lord, evidenced in every aspect of his life: the way he talked about the Word, how he reasoned when discussing God, even how his room has been littered with verses and notes. Even though Ethan was a child of few words, he loved his father, mother, and his sisters with all his heart. Now he has been made whole as he rests with our Lord and Savior, which was one of the only things he truly desired.

He is survived by his father and mother Christopher and Wendy Elder of Parkton, NC, and sisters Caetlyn, Noelle, Elizabeth, and Kloey; grandparents Jesse and Rita Gutierrez, of Santa Maria, CA; grandfather John Elder of Orcutt, CA; aunts, uncles, and cousins Giovanni and Kristie Gutierrez (Gianni), of Chesapeake, VA; Heather and Oscar Santana (Avianna and Ezekiel) of Hampton, VA; Jillian and Michael Szymczak (Francesca and Theodora), of Santa Maria, CA; Dominic and Kimberly Gutierrez (Rosalie), of Linthicum, MD; Stephen and Alison Elder (Emelia and Viviana) of Vista, CA; Michal and Michael Massey (Caleb, Noah, Moriah, and Malina) of Berwick, PA; Joel and Stacey Elder (Ella and Penelope) of Santa Maria, CA.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 on Monday, October 18, 2021, at Southview Baptist Church 4809 Elk Road, Hope Mills, NC.

Funeral services will be held following the visitation at 2:00 at Southview Baptist Church with Reverend Brad Lynch officiating.

Burial will be in the Raeford Cemetery

Memorials may be made to:  Ronald McDonald House, 101 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 or to Southview Baptist Church, Youth Ministry, 4809 Elk Road, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com