Joseph (Joey) Leighton Toeller

Joseph (Joey) Leighton Toeller, age 18, of Eden Wisconsin was born to Eternal life on Tuesday, July 9th 2024 at Saint Agnes Hospital in Fond du lac, Wisconsin, with his parents Robert and Melissa (Goldie) Toeller at his side.

Joey was born on February 3rd 2006 at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa with Eagle-Barrett Syndrome (Prune Belly) and an ACTA2 R179C variant. Joey was a guest of Children’s Hospital for the first seven months after birth. Joey, from the time he was born, showed a great will to live, and throughout his short life endured many major surgeries at Children’s Hospital, his last major surgery being in 2020. Joey was a fighter and astonished many in the medical field as his life expectancy was non-existent from day one. Despite his situation, he was the happiest person you could meet, never being depressed or feeling pity on himself. Joey was dependent on 24/7 care his whole life. Joey was ambulatory, but extremely limited. 

Joey is survived by both parents, his siblings, Robert Lawrence Toeller Jr, Matthew Lawrence Toeller, Steven John Toeller (Kenzie Marie), Bailey Marie (Ethan) Gill, and Andrew Russell Toeller. Joey was a proud uncle to Cheyenne, Braxton and Paisley Toeller. He is further survived by his paternal Grandmother, Susan Mae Toeller and his Great Aunt Patricia Zimmerman. He is further survived by Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and second cousins. The visitation will be held Sunday, July 21, 2024 from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 5:00 PM at the funeral home. Cremation will follow the service.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Joeys medical team of Doctors and Nurses at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, including Dr Jessica Landers-Schnell (who was his Special needs Dr that worked tirelessly with us, and was with us when Joey passed away), Dr Louella Amos, Dr Sal Ginde, Dr Stephen Humphrey, Dr Sam Engle, Dr John Kryger, Dr Raquel Farias-Moeller, Dr Abdul Elkadri, Dr Amy Wagner, Dr Cynthia Pan, Dr. Barbara Zink, Dr Patricia Musolino who specializes in the ACTA2 genetic mutation who collaborated with his team at Children’s to give him the best quality of life. Last but not least, Dr John Gordon (Ret), who in 2006, refused to give up on Joey, and spearheaded our great journey

We would also like to thank the ACTA2 Alliance, Prune Belly Syndrome network, and Make a wish Foundation for the once in a lifetime magical trip granted to Joey in 2009. Pediatric Home Health Care (PHS) and the Pharmacists and respiratory therapists from PHS and Walgreens. And especially our friends and family who walked this challenging journey with us.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com