Bluffton University mourns seven deaths

‘Lights in the darkness’ is theme for 2,500 at March 12 memorial service.

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We are living through the dark night of the soul, said Bluffton (Ohio) University student senate president Hannah Kehr, but “we watch and wait for the sunrise of hope that is to come.”
Darkness and light were the themes of the March 12 memorial service on the Bluffton campus that remembered the lives of seven people killed, when a charter bus carrying the university’s baseball team crashed onto Interstate 75 in Atlanta on March 2.

The service began with all but one of the remaining members of the baseball team filing to the front to light seven white candles in remembrance of the deceased. 

After a moment of silence and the hymn “Not One Sparrow Is Forgotten,” sung by the university’s Camerata Singers, Bluffton president James Harder expressed gratitude to the many communities that offered prayer and support to the Bluffton families.

Approximately 2,500 people attended the one-hour service in Founders Hall—with the overflow  watching by closed-circuit TV in Burcky Gym—including Ohio state governor Ted Strickland, four members of the Atlanta Fulton County Rescue Squad and officials from AirTran Airways.

Among the 23 media outlets at the memorial was one that broadcast the service live to Atlanta, where one baseball player and a coach remain  hospitalized.

“Let us recognize the light in the lives that were lost,” said Donald L. Pannabecker, vice president and dean of academic affairs emeritus as he eulogized the seven victims of the crash. “God’s use of people—even strangers—were lights in darkness.”

Bluffton’s campus pastor, Stephen “Tig” Intagliata, used a baseball metaphor to illustrate that death does not have the final say for Christians.

“The game is still in progress—somewhere between the first pitch and the walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning that will send the team home with the thrill of victory.”
The service concluded with a litany remembering each of the seven who died. After each remembrance the congregation responded by saying, “Weeping may linger for the night but joy comes with the morning.” Bluffton athletics director Phill Talavinia, who led the litany, concluded, “We wait for the morning.”

Purple ribbons were worn by those attending the service—and were tied to trees and lamp posts along many streets in the village of Bluffton. 

The memorial service was followed by a reception hosted by Taylor University, Upland, Ind., where a large banner was posted for people to write their thoughts and condolences.—Sarah Roth and Everett Thomas

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Additional Notes

Jerome A. Niemeyer and Jean E. Niemeyer Jerry was the bus driver for the Bluffton University baseball team. The Niemeyers were from Columbus Grove, Ohio. Survivors include two sons, David L. and Gregory T., both of Hilliard; one daughter, Mrs. Jason (Julie A.) Potts, Dublin. The Niemeyers belonged to the St. Anthony Catholic Church, Columbus Grove parish.