Jeremiah Braden Jay Juan, 19, of Bellefonte, passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Born on August 11, 2004, at Yongsan U.S. Army Garrison in Seoul, South Korea, he was the son of LTC Melvin Juan (Retired, U.S. Army) of Bellefonte and Natalie Shaub of State College who are both surviving at their respective homes.
Braden was a 2022 graduate of State College Area High School. He was currently working at Lykens Market in Bellefonte.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, Jesse Damon Alexander Juan of Bellefonte, his maternal grandfather, Dennis Shaub of Lancaster, his paternal grandparents, Jaime and Edna Juan of Honolulu, Hawaii, and his girlfriend of four years, Nevaeh Crisci, of State College.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Sue Sheppard.
Braden’s interests and talents were vast and many. He enjoyed PC Gaming – his favorite being Apex Legends, going snowboarding, and was a Lego enthusiast. While living in Springfield, Virginia, before moving to Pennsylvania, he was a member of the National Capital Area Council Boy Scouts of America, in troop 859 and 1865. Braden’s grandfather was a chess champion in his younger years, and passed his love of the game down to Braden and Jesse, who enjoyed fine tuning their skills while playing together and online. He had a true love of learning, especially sciences. Specifically, he enjoyed researching and learning about Earth and Space sciences. He also loved to draw and had a developing interest in engineering tech, design, and architecture. Braden was also a talented musician, playing several instruments throughout the years including the piano, cello, saxophone, tuba, and bass. More than anything else, he loved spending time with his best friend and brother, Jesse. They enjoyed skateboarding together and were currently working on some music.
Although Braden lived a short life, he was blessed to grow up in a military family and afforded the opportunity to travel to 18 different countries.
Braden will be remembered by his family and friends for his love for life, his kind and gentle nature, his passion for learning, and his dedication to his family. He leaves behind countless memories that will be forever cherished.
A child of God, Braden was dedicated to God as a baby, and faithfully attended services wherever the family moved with the military. May the Lord bless and him, keep him, and give him peace.
A public viewing will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2023, from 2:00 until 4:00 PM, at Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc., 206 N. Spring Street, Bellefonte. Funeral services will begin at 4:00 PM, at the funeral home, with Pastor Doug Conway officiating. Graveside services will take place on Monday, November 6, 2023, at 12:00 PM, at Silver Spring Cemetery in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Though his time here was cut short, his legacy will live on in the six patients that he was able to save through organ donation.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Braden’s honor to Gift of Life by going to www.giftoflife.org/contribute and/or by registering as an Organ Donor.