Funerals for those killed in Northern Illinois University tradegy have been scheduled. Many students, faculty, and friends may wish to participate. Please reconsider your plans.
I live in the area and humbly suggest that those of us who do not know the deceased attend the wakes, but only go to the churches - not attempt to get inside of the churches - for their funerals. Most of these churches will be too small to contain all who wish to attend.
Out of consideration and respect to their families, friends, and classmates, they should be allowed to inside. However, your presence may be helpful to the families. Follow me over the jump for details about the funerals and the role you can play to honor these students.
Funeral Details
From the Kane County Chronicle, reprinted for educational purposes:
• Ryanne E. Mace, 19, of Carpentersville, was a 2006 graduate of Dundee-Crown High School, where she was an accomplished member of the orchestra. She was a psychology major.
A visitation will start at noon followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. Monday at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church at 307 Cedar Drive in St. Charles.
• Daniel Parmenter, 20, of Elmhurst and formerly of Westchester, was a finance major. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and interested in sports.
The visitation will start at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Christ Church in Oak Brook, followed by a service at 2 p.m. Another service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Taylor Ridge Methodist Church in Taylor Ridge, followed by burial at Chapel Grove Cemetery near Milan.
• Catalina Garcia, 20, of Cicero, wanted to be a teacher. She was the youngest of four siblings in an immigrant family from Guadalajara, Mexico.
Services are scheduled from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Forest Park. Garcia then will lay in state Monday at Our Lady of the Mount Church in Cicero, starting at 9 a.m. and followed by burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.
• Julianna Gehant, 32, of Mendota, had a 12-year military career before she attended NIU. She wanted to be a second-grade teacher.
The visitation is scheduled from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Schwarz Funeral Home in Mendota. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Cross Church in Mendota, followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery.
• Gayle Dubowski, 20, of Carol Stream, sang in the choir at her alma mater Glenbard North High School. She graduated from the high school in 2006 and was a sophomore at NIU.
The visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Salerno’s Rosedale Chapels in Roselle. The memorial service will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream.
From Musings85's diary on Friday:
The slimebags at Westboro Baptist are apparently announcing their intention to picket the funerals of the victims. I am a pacific man, but if I see any sign of that pack of sniveling curs anywhere near my campus, I will endeavor to do my level best to rip their guts out with a dull spoon.
As tempting as Musings idea might be, the students in cooperation with local hardware stores, plan to hold up contruction tarps to screen Fred Phelps and his dysfunctional band of idiots from the mourners. Join the students and lend a hand if you want to help.
UPDATE 1: Ryanne E. Mace and Gayle Dubowski were members of the orchestra and choirs.
Here is the NIU Orchestra
Julianna Gehant and Catalina Garcia both wanted to be teachers. Daniel Parmenter was a finance major. I hope those details, however sketchy may offer you ideas for honoring their memories.
UPDATE 2: Ilona suggests that you make your donations to the NIU February 14 Student Scholarship Fund.