Dylan "Dill Pickles" Jennings

There is no doubt that Dylan “Dill Pickles” Jonathon Jennings was a bright spark of joy in the lives of many. He lived his short time on Earth as both a teacher and a warrior. Dylan’s infectious smile could light up any room, and his life was a constant reminder that life itself is a precious gift. Gone too soon, he will be deeply missed by his family and the many special people he leaves behind.

Dylan was born on July 6, 2020, as a blessing to his parents, Bryan and Sarah Jennings, and his older brother, Aiden, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. 2020 was the year of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the lives of every living person. Dylan’s arrival was a stressful time as hospitals across every country around the world were following safety protocols. Luckily, Bryan was able to be in the room for his birth. Their 7 lb 15 ounce 20-inch baby boy melted their hearts. His big brother was eager to welcome him home during an unusual time in our nation’s history.

Dylan’s fiery personality was seen at an early age. He loved and idolized his big brother and accepted endless kisses from the family's two black labradors, Wyatt and Scout. Yet, his family could attest to his strong personality and described him as a Sour Patch Kid! Robust and outgoing, he took nearly every ounce of their energy at times, yet he was also the first one to snuggle at night. Dylan loved to request his favorite books, Little Blue Truck’s Springtime, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and How Does a Dinosaur Say Good Night. It was common that bedtime took a bit longer just so he could finish singing or telling stories.

By the tender age of just 18 months, he was diagnosed with a large, low-grade benign brain tumor, but had hid most of his brain tumor signs as he was advanced in milestones for his age. Dylan started chemo shortly after diagnosis and first tumor debulking/diagnostic surgery. He was treated with chemo for 1.5 years and this was the most stable and happy Dylan would be. Chemo kept the tumor from growing but it was not without its side effects. He was an absolute champ for his age to go through chemo. He was quick-witted and had strong opinions but that is what kept his fiery personality alive. He had a devilish smirky smile and a contagious belly laugh.

His mother, Sarah, left her role as a Physician's Assistant to stay home and help with his healing. During his treatments, he never lost his hair, but his blonde color changed to a new shade of red once he completed radiation. With many sincere acts of love and courageous sacrifice, his family was always there to fight alongside him.

Dylan approached life with typical boy humor and took a liking to talking about poop and farts. He would even go as far as pretending to pick up his stuffed Build-A-Bear black lab’s poop. Sharp and quick-witted, his sense of humor could ease even the worst of times. On the other hand, when he clearly didn’t want to do something like potty training, for example, he would tug on his parents’ heartstrings by reminding them both that, after all, he had a brain tumor and shouldn’t be asked to do anything!

By the time Dylan was three years old, his tumor treatment was in remission. He developed a love of food and enjoyed bacon, pumpernickel rye bread, garlic bread, and his favorite of all, dill pickle chips from Trader Joe’s! He and his brother loved to tag along for shopping trips to Trader Joe's and grab their own kid-sized shopping carts and tool around the aisles, slamming into one another! He had a love for stickers and refused to leave Trader Joe’s until all of the stickers were on him. The two of them had a very special bond.

Along with his love of food and shopping trips, Dylan also enjoyed many pastimes. He loved playing games such as Don’t Break the Ice, which involved smashing blocks, as well as Hungry, Hungry, Hippos. A favorite activity was dancing and being silly to silly songs such as the Fart Man song! He also loved to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the top of his lungs and insert the word Jose instead of the lyric, “Oh Say, can you see...” Any amount of time he was able to entertain his family, Dylan enjoyed center stage. Nothing brought the family more joy than his huge smile and his daily antics.

As a family, they made many special memories. They enjoyed being active as a family and had both of the boys involved with sports or gymnastics. Dylan liked watching Aiden on the field/eating popcorn and spent some time at the Little Gym of Kalamazoo, where he looked forward to his hand being stamped and the snacks, of course! They enjoyed visits to Binder Park Zoo to feed the giraffes and to Boulder Ridge Animal Sanctuary to watch the penguins. No matter where they went, they were sure to have a good time. Being active and taking trips was a great way to take advantage of Dylan’s good days. Back home, he loved to swing and play in the sandbox.

Despite his brain tumor being an obstacle in his life, Dylan found simple joys in his day-to-day living. He enjoyed watching the cartoon, Bubble Guppies, and was just starting to watch the popular animated Bluey series. The music intro was his favorite! His red push stroller aka “Red Beep Beep” that looked like a car was his main mode of getting around. After Dylan and his mom put Aiden on the bus, they would walk around the neighborhood and play their walking music mix, which was primarily songs from Ed Sheeran and Cian Ducrot, Dermot Kennedy, and various Disney songs like “Exceptional Zed”. After his surgery, he usually had a perfect smirk on his face and a belly laugh that made everyone cheerful. Despite his constant care and the special attention he required from his earliest days, Bryan and Sarah wouldn’t have wished for anything different.

Sadly, nearly half of his short life was spent in the hospital. A side effect of taking prolonged steroids was becoming a night owl and staying up late into the night as if he had a second wind, while the rest of the family was exhausted. No matter how tired or relentless it was to care for him, his family never wavered in their endearing support and love.

Although with his remission, also came complications. Little Dylan ended up having obstructive hydrocephalus that led to his first VP shunt surgery. He was stable until he was just over 3 years old then started having tumor and headache complications. Dylan’s second tumor debulking took place in November 2023. This in turn lead to multiple shunt failures, and eventual loss of his ability to communicate and functional abilities. Bryan and Sarah attempted to do intense rehab at Mary Free Bed and was back and forth for almost a year between Helen DeVos and Mary Free Bed with multiple complications but always trying to fight to get Dylan back. Even radiation was tried to stabilize the tumor in the winter of 2024. This led to fiery red hair (got from his mommy). Dylan was home for a solid 6 months. Unfortunately, during the summer of 2025 Dylan’s shunt kept failing despite multiple revisions and EVD placement. The team at Helen Devos, Bronson Hospital, and Mary Free Bed witnessed the unconditional love he received from his parents, Bryan and Sarah, as they never left him alone. One of them was always there with him. His parents and the medical team leaned on one another as they graciously cared for Dylan.

Sadly, he is gone. As short as his life was, Dylan made his presence known. He was a great comfort to many on ordinary days and always packed any day with laughter. May his loving family always remember his ability to remind them of life’s greatest joys, as well as the importance of shining their own light brightly, just as he did during his time with them.

Dylan Jennings, age 5, died on September 29, 2025, from all the secondary complications of the brain tumor. He is survived by his parents, Bryan and Sarah Jennings, and older brother, Aiden; maternal grandparents: Jim and Deb Allard, and paternal grandparents: Jonathon “G Pop” Jennings and Susie, and Tom Bontekoe; aunts and uncles: Rachel and Dan Field, Dan and Jenny Doan, and Carolyn and Keith Summerville; cousins: Harper, Hudson, Henry, Tommy, Josephine, Daisy, Rhyan, and Lauren. He was preceded in death by his aunt, Michelle Bontekoe. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at Kalamazoo Nature Center on Sunday October 19th from 1:30-4:30pm (7000 N. Westnedge Ave Kalamazoo, MI 49009). Kids are welcome as the family will have games that Dylan enjoyed and bubbles in his memory. No black or funeral attire as the family does not want the weight of the color black on that day. Memorial checks may be made to Sarah Jennings or Venmo - @sallard02 for a swing to be placed in a park and a butterfly chair at Binder Park Zoo. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Celebrate Dylan’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com.