Joel Jireh Stombaugh, 4, of Belle Plaine, Iowa was handed off to the safe and loving arms of Jesus Christ on Friday, August 7th, 2026. He departed the Stead Family Children's Hospital due to compounded complications from his 4th heart surgery leading to heart failure.

Joel was born to Julie and Andy Stombaugh at Stead Family Children's Hospital on Monday, January 5, 2022. Born into a family of 6 children, Joel fit right in immediately. Happy and energetic, Joel hung with the rest of them, and to look at him, you would never have known that he was born with HLHS.

Joel's personality was just as unique as his insides. He managed to be 'best friends' with nearly everyone he came into contact with, instantly winning their hearts with a smile and a friendly salute.

His friendly signature salute was indicative of the level of inner strength and determination that rivaled that of our SEALS. When faced with challenges that most in his percentile would not have been able to achieve, Joel would "reach in his pocket for his 'hoo-rah!' and put it on." He would break out into his cheesy grin, and draw from his inner strength to push through everything from conquering the fear of heights, to accepting very painful and repetitive medical procedures.

To know Joel was to grow to associate him with giraffes. He was rarely seen without at least one tucked under an arm. His love for hymns and 'song leading' were a part of his charm.

Ironically enough, while thousands of friends and loved ones prayed for Joel's heart to heal, it was our own that ended up being transformed.

The heart is not capable of expressing just how much this 'little man' will be missed.

Joel is survived by his siblings, Serenity, Uriah, Clement, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Verily, and Jubilee Stombaugh of Belle Plaine, his parents, Andy and Julie Stombaugh, and the many, many friends and church family Joel met along his 4-year adventure with us.

Joel's Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 14th, 2026 at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Home, Belle Plaine with visitation one hour prior to the service. A private burial will take place immediately afterwards. Memorials may be directed to the family.