Cody William Gelsheimer

September 8, 2002 - January 15, 2026

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Cody William Gelsheimer, 23, of Pleasant Hope, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly on January 14, 2026.

Born on September 8, 2002 in Springfield, Missouri, Cody was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend whose warmth and kindness touched everyone who had the privilege to know him.

Cody grew up surrounded by a large and loving family who recognized from an early age his gentle spirit and boundless curiosity about the world. Cody graduated from Hillcrest High School in 2020.

Cody’s defining traits were rooted in compassion and loyalty. Protective of those he cared for, he was quick to offer help or comfort, whether to family, friends or even a stranger in need. His heart was big, his smile was infectious and his presence created an atmosphere of calm and kindness wherever he went.

A true lover of nature and animals, Cody found peace in the quiet beauty of the outdoors. His fascination with crystals and their meanings reflected the depth of his introspective nature and the gentleness of his soul.

Cody also had an enduring love for video games, reading and writing, pursuits that allowed him to express his creativity, feelings and passions with other people. He was the kind of person who could talk about his favorite video game or new ideas for hours, his enthusiasm lighting up the room. More than just pastime activities, these passions were an extension of his imagination and his desire to connect with others in meaningful ways.

Cody is survived by his loving mother, April Davis, his father, William Gelsheimer Jr,: siblings, Dakota, Liz, Scarlett, Wyatt and Vivian Gelsheimer and brother Chandler Davis,: step father, Nathaniel Davis,: grandparents, Melinda Gelsheimer, William Gelsheimer Sr, Dennis Beeman, his Great Grandmother, Betty Beeman and Great Grandmother, Mildred Provost,: aunts, Samantha Blanchard, Katie Beeman and Michelle (Shay) Pendergrass,: uncles, Joseph Gelsheimer, Jeph Blanchard, William Davis Jr., Tim Pendergrass and Rick and Judy Gelsheimer. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Virginia Dick, grandfather Jim Dick, Uncle Larry Beeman, Uncle Dale Gerard, Aunt Joanne Gerard, Great Grandmother Zola Pendergrass, Great Grandfather John Pendergrass, Great Grandmother Barbara Gelsheimer, Great Grandfather Joseph Gelsheimer, Great Grandfather Norman Beeman and Great Grandfather Darrell Provost.

A Celebration of Cody’s Life will be held at a later date, allowing family and friends to come together and honor his beautiful spirit.

Cody’s time with us was far too short, but the love, laughter and light he shared will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

God speed little man. Sweet dreams little man.

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Cody William Gelsheimer, 23, of Pleasant Hope, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly on January 14, 2026. Born on September 8, 2002 in Springfield, Missouri, Cody was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend whose warmth and kindness touched everyone who had the privilege to know him. Cody grew up surrounded by a large and loving family who recognized from an early
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Life is not the same without you grandson. Love and miss you. Ema

Missing you, Cody Bill. Love you always.

Cody, your brother graduated yesterday. I remember you walking across to get your diploma. So very proud of you. Always proud of you. I love and miss you so very much.

I remember you loving Spiderman when you were little and coming down dressed up. Missing you so much and love you always.

That little rooster you and pa John had. Pa loved talking to you and seeing you handle the animals. Miss you Cody Bill. Love you.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Miss you Cody. Love you so very much. Love Ema

Missing you, love you always. Rest peacefully, Cody.

Love you Cody Bill. I can't even put in to words how much you are missed. Love. Ema

I don't even have the words to say how much you are missed and loved, kiddo.

Love you. Miss you.

We miss you so very much, Cody Bill. Love you always

You're so missed and loved. Nothing is the same without you. Love you, Ema

Love and miss you, Cody Bill.

Love you. Ema

I keep thinking of our summer vacations. Good times. Memories of you smiling, laughing. Having a good time. So thankful we have those happy memories. You are missed so much. You are loved so much. We will meet again. A wonderful time we will have. Love you Cody Bill.
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We feel you with us brother. We miss you dearly, we know that you know. No one will ever be able to tarnish this family. I hope you are proud. I love you Cody I can’t wait to hang out again.

Every morning before I log in to work, I light one of our candles and take a few minutes to think of you. Miss you and love you always.

I miss you more than I can put into words. It's not fair that I can't see you again. I love you to the moon and back always my kid. Love Mom

Rest in peace Cody. Love you always. Ema

I got my ring I had made in memory of you. The moonstone has the purple flash we both loved and the lapis lazuli and labradorite are just as beautiful. I sure miss you, Cody. Love you always.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Cody, 13 weeks. It still doesn't seem possible that I will never see you again. I keep the tv on just for noise, I can't concentrate on anything, nothing seems right at all, I feel completely lost because you're not here anymore. You were the best part of me and now you're gone and I'm literally just a shell now. I miss you so much. I love you to the moon and back always.

Missing you, love you always.

Miss you so much. Love you. Ema

Oh, Cody. What I wouldn't give to laugh with you again. I'm so grateful for all of the weekends and meals and teasing. Me texting you to come get your goodies I'd surprise you with. When your brother would come to visit and I'd hear you brothers in the basement laughing and playing your games. You were such a good human, and brought so much light into our lives. I will always miss and love you, kiddo.

I found this in the shed by a random tote on Sunday, it's as if you and God knew I needed to see this. I love you to the moon and back always and I will forever miss you. I'm sorry I couldn't have taken you away from all of the bad things and protected you better.
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11 weeks. A lot of hurt has been done but I'm okay. This picture from your graduation shows a boy that wasn't as happy as he should have been on such an exciting day. The only people who showed up for you that day were me, Nate and your dad, but we were so very proud of you. The days I struggled to get you up, had to go up to your school and had to sit to eat lunch with you because the kids at your school were mean to you so I could pick up lunch and bring it to you to make sure you were able to eat, that's what a mom does for her kid when she loves him. I did that through most of the time you were in elementary school and I would do it all over again if I had the chance. On the days I didn't get to sit with you for lunch, I alwaysade sure you ate a healthy meal after school because I knew you were hungry and had had a rough day. Today in Facebook memories, the memories were sad from 16 years ago and it showed the life was failing you even back then as a 7 year old. You had told me that you were sad because your dad's girlfriend had taken down all of your posters in your bedroom in your room at your dad's and you felt like you didn't have a place there anymore, you didn't have friends at school and you were just sad. We had talks about things like this often and it broke my heart. I tried my best with you and I always put you first and never allowed you to feel alone when I had you and was able to be around you. I miss you so much every minute of everyday and I wish I could bring you back.
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Cody I remember picking you up after work and taking you to Krispy Kreme for a hot fresh doughnut when you was still a little guy. Glazed was your favorite. Miss you terribly. I loved you your whole life, will miss you the rest of mine. Love you always.

My Cody, 10 weeks 😭 I miss you so much that everything hurts. We're having your celebration of life this Sunday and it's just making everything all so final and all so real. I hate all of this so much and I just want you here so bad. I love you. Love, mom
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My sweetest boy, it's been 8 weeks and I still wake up with the hope of you calling or texting me I know it can't happen but I wish so much that it could. Reality is so hard to face now that you're gone. I miss you so much it hurts. I love you to the moon and back always my Cody and there isn't a second that my heart isn't breaking over you.
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It's been 6 weeks and I still can't believe you're gone. I got my dragons and I also got another one with your name in your handwriting with what I always told you "I love you to the moon and back." I even wrote that to you on your box before you were cremated because I always wanted you to remember that my boy. You are the most amazing accomplishment in my life and I miss you so fiercely every minute of every day. I can't wait to see you again.
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Cody I miss you. I love you. I always thought I would be the one waiting for you in heaven. Rest in peace grandson.

5 weeks have passed and I still can't believe this is real. I have spent a lot of time listening to your music and it all just makes me feel so much sadness. To know you were carrying so much pain kills me and makes me hurt so bad. I faced a huge fear on Saturday and I went and got my first tattoo and tomorrow I'm going and getting a dragon in honor of you as well since you said my protector was a dragon. I'm falling apart in so many ways and I'm absolutely shattered and will never be whole again and I'm having to find a strength I never knew I would have to find within myself since losing you through all of this pain. I love you to the moon and back my beautiful boy and I miss you so fiercely.

It's been 4 weeks since I received the call from your dad telling me that you were gone. I miss you so much and I have this huge void now that just hurts. I wish I could just hug you and hear your voice.

3 weeks feels like 3 hours. I still can't believe you are gone. I love you, I miss you so much.

Miss you.

I tried to go back to work today and I made it almost halfway through the day but not quite. I had put your books from your room on my desk so my entire office now smells like your room and it made it so hard and also all I could think about was how the last time I was sitting at my desk was when your dad called me to tell me you were gone and that made it even harder and I felt like I was having a panic attack the entire time I was working. I miss you so much it's unbearable kid. I wish you were still here.

We are missing you so much. I wish for so many things, more times together, more talks, more goofy moments, I could go on and on. I love you, kiddo.

Miss you. Love you.

In memory of Cody William Gelsheimer, Dad lit a candle

They say you don't realize how important someone is until they are gone. As important as I knew you were, the saying is correct. I sit on this couch watching your door. Praying and hoping you'll come through it to annoy me. I want to walk through your door and grab you and annoy you, make noises at each other, and crack bad jokes. You were always right there. An now you're gone. If I had only known how much you were hurting I would have tried harder to understand and help you. I miss you all day every day. I love you so much my Son.
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Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

We're picking you up this morning and bringing you home. I spent all day yesterday trying to find the perfect spot for you but nothing felt right no matter where I thought about putting you because this just isn't supposed to be real. The only place you're supposed to be is still here with us. I love you my little man, to the moon and back always.

I miss you so much and would give anything to be able to hug you again and to be able to have a conversation with you again.

In memory of Cody William Gelsheimer, Ema and Papa lit a candle

A day we all considered to be just another in the calendar is now a very unfortunate day we will all have to remember. Today we finally put our loving brother back to bed, just not in the it used to be or ever should be. My big brother is gone to soon. We all feel for you Cody man and we all wish we could have done more to help you through your battles. We all can’t wait to be with you again. This isn’t my first candle nor will it be my last. Long live Cody, may your mind be at ease.

I never met Cody, but all I know is that from what I’ve heard he was a good older brother and was there when someone needed him. He was gone too soon. I hope he rests well living a good life and I hope the family receives the healing and the time to grieve as needed. Rest well Cody.🕊️

Today we said our final goodbyes to you and it all still doesn't seem real. Your dad and I were there with you when you first came into this world and we were there as well as Nate to see you on your final journey. I miss you more than any words can describe and this hole that is in my heart is forever with you in Heaven. I will see you again my sweet, beautiful boy and I know when I do, you will no longer be battling the battles you were constantly fighting while you were here and you will have that glow back in those beautiful blue eyes and I can't wait to see you shining again. I love you to the moon and back always.
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Missing you and wishing for more conversations about rocks, or anything on our minds. Love you, Cody.

Missed more than you could've imagined.

Love and miss you. Ema and Papa.

I so enjoyed seeing him as I grew up you're such a great kid he will be missed very much and my prayers to the family

Cody you are deeply missed !! I will always remember our fun moments in Branson or the times when your mom was doing my hair and I had foil in my hair!! And you said we know it’s gonna be a fun time now !! April and William I am sorry for your loss!! I am praying for you both!! Much love!! Kimmie

Code, I feel like 13 years was not enough time with you. Just know that I love and miss you, and know that you are watching over us in heaven. I'll always remember our fun times playing video games our rather you laughing at me because I couldn't get the hang of call of duty or any other RPG game. You will live on in our hearts and memories. Just know I love and miss ya buddy! Love always Nate

My deepest condolences for your family. Sending our love to you all. Laura, Jessie & Katana 🩷

My condolences and prayers to my good friend may god comfort you in this time 🩷

I don't even have the words to express how much you are missed and loved.

In memory of my son Cody, I'm lighting this candle.

In memory of Cody William Gelsheimer, JR Gelsheimer lit a candle

You were my best friend, I love you so much, and will miss you immensely son. Go with God now
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We met about once but I’m good friends with his sister, thoughts and prayers to loved ones and family members as it has been a hard year for everyone and definitely them with the loss of a brother, son, cousin. Etc. much love I am very sorry.

My sweetest boy, I am still having a hard time accepting the reality that I am now a part of this world where you are no longer a part of. You were my world and now I feel so incredibly lost. You left us way too soon and nothing about this is okay. 23 years wasn't long enough. I know I will see you again, I just wish we had more time to make more memories because we definitely were not done down here. I love you to the moon and back my sweet Cody.
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I didn't know Cody super well but what I did know was he was a great guy, brother, and kid. I'm so sorry so he had to go so soon. May he rest and hopefully living his best life and doing what he wants to do.

My oldest brother, we all miss you and love you dearly. We never thought this day would come, never so soon. It should never be this way for any one in any which way. My heart goes out to everyone who is feeling for my brother right now and I’m always here to talk with anyone. Rest in peace cbg. 🕊️❤️‍🩹

In memory of Cody William Gelsheimer, Scarlett Gelsheimer lit a candle

Oh Cody I have so many memories that I could talk about & probably won't be the last candle I light, but I love you so much & I hope your happy & feel free in a sense after everything you have been fighting through & for, I will always miss you & I will remember everything we had together, Best older brother ever I looked up to you & still will also do big bro.💖

Cody, We are going to miss you so much. We know you are in the loving arms of our heavenly father and all family members that have passed. Lov u, Papa and Ema

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.

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Cody William Gelsheimer