Help my boys and I lay their dad, Zachary Peterson to rest.

Hi everyone, my name is Chelsee Lauf. First, I want to thank you for your time. My kids' father, Zachary Peterson, sadly lost his fight with addiction. He was found overdosed by a creek under an overpass in Springfield on July 31st, 2024. Both of us had struggled with addiction throughout our 9-year relationship, which ended in 2020 when I succeeded in my struggle with addiction. I have had full custody of our boys, Airius and Gabriel, since then. They are 6 and 7 now. Zach loved his boys so much, enough to realize that he couldn’t be with them during his battle. So, he moved to Springfield about two years ago after his mom's passing. He went to sober living, where he had started volunteering and attending church at Recovery Soldiers. Zach always wanted to help people in any way he could. Sadly, 8 months ago, he relapsed, and that was the last contact I had with him.

I spoke with the detective assigned to find his family, the coroner, and the funeral home, and they informed me that I am his next of kin, which honestly, I am very thankful for. Although it is putting extra on my plate, I have always wanted nothing but the best for Zach, despite our relationship not working out. I loved him. He was still one of the only people who, no matter what, would always listen to me, and I could stay on the phone with him for hours at a time, just talking. Right now, I am far from able to lay him to rest the way I would like or the way he deserves. I have managed to pay for his cremation. I am looking for help in paying for his memorial, which is looking to be about $1300 on the lowest end.

I want to thank you all for your time, prayers, and even if it is just sharing this page, your effort is so greatly appreciated. May God bless all of you.