Zion Isaiah Blick was a baby whose life lasted only 10 days, but the story of those 10 days was shared by his parents with people around the world. Born in Illinois in January 2014, Zion was diagnosed before birth with Trisomy 18, a serious chromosomal condition also known as Edwards syndrome. His parents, Josh and Robbyn Blick, chose to continue the pregnancy and celebrate every moment they had with their son.
Zion was born on January 11, 2014, weighing 4 pounds and 7 ounces. Doctors had warned his parents that he might not survive pregnancy or could die shortly after birth, but he lived for 10 days and was able to spend time with his parents and four older brothers.
Latest Update: September 28, 2026
As of September 28, 2026, Zion Isaiah Blick’s death is a historical event dating to January 2014 rather than a recent death. Contemporary reports and a cemetery record identify Zion as having died in 2014, and published accounts provide details about his birth, diagnosis and 10-day life.
There is no indication that the obituary search refers to a newly reported death. Instead, available results connect the name specifically with the Blick family’s story from 2014, when photographs and a video documenting Zion’s brief life received widespread attention.
The most detailed contemporary accounts say Zion died on January 21, 2014, after developing increasing difficulty breathing. His family was with him when he died.
Who Was Zion Isaiah Blick?
Zion Isaiah Blick was the fifth son of Josh and Robbyn Blick, a family based in the Chicago-area community of Lake Zurich, Illinois. His father was identified in contemporary reports as a pastor at Alpine Chapel in Lake Zurich.
His parents learned during a 20-week pregnancy ultrasound that their unborn son had Trisomy 18. The diagnosis meant that Zion faced severe medical challenges even before he was born. His parents were told that he might not survive the pregnancy or delivery and, if born alive, might live only a short time.
Rather than allowing the difficult diagnosis to define their expectations, Josh and Robbyn prepared to welcome their son and make his short life as meaningful as possible.
Zion’s Birth
Zion Isaiah Blick was born on January 11, 2014. He weighed approximately 4 pounds and 7 ounces at birth. His survival beyond the first moments surprised his family and went beyond some of the expectations they had been given before delivery.
After his birth, Zion was cared for by his family. Contemporary reporting says that he was eventually able to go home, where his parents and brothers could spend more time with him.
His mother later described holding and caring for him throughout his 10 days. The family photographed many of those moments and shared them as a way of celebrating his life rather than focusing only on his medical diagnosis.
Living With Trisomy 18
Trisomy 18, also called Edwards syndrome, is a chromosomal condition involving an extra copy of chromosome 18. It can cause serious developmental and medical problems and is associated with a high risk of death during pregnancy, shortly after birth or during infancy.
In Zion’s case, his parents knew about the diagnosis before he was born. Contemporary reports explained that doctors had warned the family about the possibility that he might not survive to birth or might live only for a very short period afterward.
The family’s story became notable because Zion survived delivery and spent 10 days with his parents and brothers. His life did not follow the shortest timeline that doctors had warned them about.
Zion’s First Week
The Blick family celebrated Zion’s first week of life. Reports describe a small birthday-style celebration with cake, decorations and family members marking the occasion.
For his parents and four older brothers, reaching the one-week point was an important moment. They had entered the pregnancy knowing that their time with Zion could be extremely short, so every additional day became meaningful to the family.
The family’s photographs captured Zion being held by relatives and spending time with his brothers. Those images later became part of the video tribute created by his parents.
His Final Two Days
According to contemporary accounts, Zion’s condition changed during his ninth day. He began having difficulty feeding and experienced an episode in which he appeared to struggle for breath and turned slightly blue. His father helped him recover from that episode, but his mother understood that his condition was becoming more serious.
The following day, January 21, Zion continued to have difficulty breathing. His family gathered around him as his breathing became less frequent.
He died peacefully with his family present, according to the reports published at the time. He was 10 days old.
Zion Isaiah Blick’s Parents
Zion’s parents were Josh and Robbyn Blick. Contemporary coverage described them as a Chicago-area couple who had four sons before Zion was born. Zion became their fifth child.
The couple made a deliberate decision to document their son’s life. They took photographs, recorded family moments and eventually produced a short video showing Zion from his birth through his final days.
That decision allowed relatives, friends and strangers to see more than the medical diagnosis. The family’s documentation showed an infant being welcomed, held, celebrated and loved by his parents and brothers.
Zion and His Four Older Brothers
Zion grew up for his 10 days surrounded by his four older brothers. Contemporary reports describe the brothers spending time with him and participating in the family’s celebration of his first week.
The presence of his brothers was also part of the video tribute created after his death. The footage helped preserve the family memories of the short period they were able to spend together.
For the Blick family, Zion’s relationship with his brothers became part of the story they wanted people to remember. His life was brief, but he was treated as a full member of the family from the moment he arrived.
The Video Tribute
After Zion died, Josh and Robbyn Blick created a video documenting his 10 days. The video included footage from his birth, photographs of his time at home and moments with his family. It was uploaded through Alpine Chapel and became part of the public record of his life.
The purpose of the video was not simply to document his medical condition. It showed the family celebrating Zion and preserving memories that could otherwise have existed only in photographs and personal recollections.
The project also helped explain why the family had chosen to continue the pregnancy despite receiving a difficult prenatal diagnosis.
Why Zion’s Story Received Attention
News of Zion’s life spread beyond his immediate family because his parents shared photographs and the video online. Reports published in February 2014 described people around the world responding to the family’s story.
The story attracted attention partly because doctors had warned the family that Zion might not survive birth, yet he lived for 10 days. It also resonated because his parents openly documented both the difficult moments and the ordinary family experiences that filled his brief life.
Stories about children with serious medical conditions can involve sensitive information. In Zion’s case, the family themselves chose to discuss his diagnosis publicly, allowing contemporary reports to document the medical circumstances surrounding his short life.
Cause of Zion Isaiah Blick’s Death
Zion had been diagnosed before birth with Trisomy 18. Contemporary reports state that he experienced increasing difficulty breathing shortly before his death on January 21, 2014.
However, the available reports should not be treated as a formal medical death certificate. They describe his condition and his family’s account of his final hours rather than providing a detailed official determination of cause of death.
The clearest verified fact is that Zion had Trisomy 18 and died at 10 days old after experiencing serious breathing difficulties. His death occurred on January 21, 2014.
Zion Isaiah Blick’s Legacy
Although Zion lived for only 10 days, his family created a lasting record of his life. The photographs and video allowed people to see the child behind the diagnosis and understand how deeply he was loved by his family.
His story has also remained available through memorial and family-history sources. A cemetery database for Fairfield Cemetery in Lake County, Illinois lists Zion Isaiah Blick among its burial records and records his lifespan as 2014.
An Every Life Counts memorial-story collection also includes Zion Isaiah Blick among its stories of children whose lives were brief but meaningful to their families.
The continued appearance of his name in memorial collections reflects the lasting importance of his story to his family and to people who encountered the family’s account years ago.
Quick Facts About Zion Isaiah Blick
| Full Name | Zion Isaiah Blick |
|---|---|
| Born | January 11, 2014 |
| Died | January 21, 2014 |
| Age at Death | 10 days |
| Parents | Josh and Robbyn Blick |
| Siblings | Four older brothers |
| Birth Weight | 4 pounds, 7 ounces |
| Medical Diagnosis | Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome |
| Location Associated With Family | Lake Zurich, Illinois |
| Known For | A widely shared family story documenting his 10-day life |
Reader Questions
Who was Zion Isaiah Blick?
Zion Isaiah Blick was the fifth son of Josh and Robbyn Blick of the Lake Zurich, Illinois, area. He was born with Trisomy 18 and lived for 10 days in January 2014.
When was Zion Isaiah Blick born?
Zion was born on January 11, 2014. He weighed 4 pounds and 7 ounces at birth.
When did Zion Isaiah Blick die?
Zion died on January 21, 2014, at 10 days old. Contemporary reports say his family was with him when he died.
What was Zion Isaiah Blick’s medical condition?
Zion was diagnosed before birth with Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome. His parents learned about the condition during a 20-week ultrasound.
Who were Zion Isaiah Blick’s parents?
Zion’s parents were Josh and Robbyn Blick. Contemporary reports identified Josh as a pastor at Alpine Chapel in Lake Zurich, Illinois.
Did Zion Isaiah Blick have siblings?
Yes. Zion was the fifth son in the Blick family and had four older brothers. His brothers were part of the family’s efforts to celebrate and document his short life.
How long did Zion Isaiah Blick live?
Zion lived for 10 days. He was born January 11 and died January 21, 2014.
What happened to Zion Isaiah Blick?
Zion was born with Trisomy 18 and survived for 10 days despite the serious prenatal diagnosis. During his final two days, he developed increasing breathing difficulties and died peacefully with his family around him, according to contemporary reports.
Was Zion Isaiah Blick’s story documented?
Yes. His parents created a video documenting his 10 days, including footage from his birth, family moments and photographs. The video was uploaded through Alpine Chapel and became part of the public story of his life.
Wrap-Up
Zion Isaiah Blick’s obituary is ultimately the story of a life that was very short but deeply meaningful to his family. Born with Trisomy 18, he arrived on January 11, 2014, and lived for 10 days surrounded by his parents and four older brothers.
His parents, Josh and Robbyn Blick, chose to document those 10 days through photographs and a video tribute. Their decision preserved memories of Zion’s birth, his time at home, his first-week celebration and the final moments shared by his family.
More than a decade later, Zion’s name remains in memorial and cemetery records. His story continues to show how a person’s impact is not necessarily measured by the length of a life, but can also be preserved through the memories, love and stories left behind.
Disclaimer
This article is based on historical reports and publicly available memorial information concerning Zion Isaiah Blick. The reported dates of birth and death, diagnosis and family information are drawn from sources published around the time of his death and subsequent memorial records. Medical details are presented only as reported and should not be treated as a substitute for an official medical record.
