Caleb Darryll VHAL
Caleb Darryll Vhal
July 5, 2001 – March 31, 2026
After a lifelong battle with NF2, Caleb’s fight ended peacefully in the early hours of March 31, 2026. He left us while he slept, with his Mom holding his hands, at the age of 24. Despite Caleb’s outward grumpiness, he will be remembered for his quick wit, biting sarcasm and sense of humour, although sometimes wildly inappropriate. He cared deeply for his friends and family, ensuring they were always well and safe, even as his health declined. Caleb’s high intelligence and understanding were both a blessing and a curse as he fully understood the ongoing changes within his body. His inner strength and resilience throughout his challenging life were beyond measure.
Caleb will be deeply missed by his loving parents, Ben & Deana Johnston (nee Vhal), sisters, Taylor (Yusuke) and Kiara (Noah), grandparents, Graham & Linda Roberts, Erwin Vhal (Linda) and Francis & Terryl Welfl and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, friends and dogs, Frija & Copper.
Caleb brought a lot of excitement into the world along with his arrival on July 5, 2001. He showed up 6 weeks earlier than expected in Prince George, BC. After a flight to the Victoria NICU with his Mom and some time there, he was back home and ready to charge full speed ahead. Any lost time was quickly made up in growth and milestones. The early years were filled with memories of his smiles, laughter and incredible ability to learn.
He made many friends through daycare, church and school. Caleb has always had a love of animals, from fish and frogs to cats and dogs, starting with his own three dogs, and later with Odin, Frija and Copper.
He loved to sit and hear stories and would eventually read books to his Mom and on his own. Movies and video games captivated him, starting with Shrek and Pokémon. As he aged, his tastes and gaming platforms changed, but Pokémon was a constant. A love of music has followed Caleb his whole life. The genres may have changed, but he always enjoyed music. Even after total hearing loss, Caleb would “listen” with bone transmission headphones.
Caleb participated in Taekwondo, swimming, Junior Forest Wardens, Ukrainian dance and an MMA class in his earlier years. Lots of quadding, hiking and camping were done with family and friends throughout his life. After high school, when his physical abilities began to decline, he chose to become “more of an inside pet”.
Caleb had dreams of becoming a chef. He was very interested in food, cooking, and testing new dishes, especially as a growing teenage boy with seemingly hollow legs. He completed all the cooking and foods classes available at his high school and even received a knife set as an award at graduation. While his physical condition limited this, Caleb was eager to continue to sample and enjoy many exotic dishes for the duration of his life.
A celebration of life for Caleb will take place on May 24, 2026, from 1-3 pm at Galloway Station, 223-55th Street, Edson, AB. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Caleb’s name to SCARS: Second Chance Animal Rescue Society, Email: donations@scarscare.ca or Phone: 780-466-SCAR (7227).
Sending you guys so much love ❤️he was such a great young man!
He was so intelligent! and he was far too young to leave !
he will be missed
Love you guys
Beautifully said. Sounded like he lived his life to the fullest. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ben Deana and family sending our condolences from the Roddicks
So sorry for your loss just heartbreaking. Sending you all our Deepest condolences
I will forever remember Caleb. He was so strong with a resilience like no other. Loved joking around with him and putting up with his sassy banter lol sending love to all who loved him!
Sending you my love and my condolences to you guys Caleb will be missed
Condolences to all of you❤️
Luv you always and forever Thumper🥰
Will miss you so much!
Love Gma and Papa
Such a beautiful write up. My condolences to all of you. ❤️
I didn’t know Caleb, but I know his mom and how deeply she loved him. He truly had her whole heart. I know this side of heaven won’t feel the same without him.
So sorry to hear of Caleb’s passing. May God be resting his soul even now, and comfort the family as you mourn. Ida & Robert Taylor
Linda and Graham. Deana and Ben, thinking of you all. Caleb will be missed. ❤️
Linda and Graham. Deana and Ben.
Thinking of you all. So sorry for Caleb passing.
❤️
I will be honoured to make a donation to SCARS in remembrance of Caleb. A beautiful tribute to your son Deana ❤️
I am heartbroken. Caleb was an inspiration for me, and I am a better person to have known him. My condolences to Deana, Ben and all Caleb’s family and friends.