Arend, Zachary (1989-2007)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2007 Mar 19 p. 1, 6

Birth date: 1989

text of obituary:

5th player dies in Atlanta; funeral services held for 7

By Mennonite Weekly Review staff

BLUFFTON, Ohio — The final funeral service for a victim of the March 2 bus crash that claimed the lives of five Bluffton University baseball players and two others was held March 16. The seven died after a chartered bus carrying the Bluffton team to Sarasota, Fla., ran off an overpass onto Interstate 75 near downtown Atlanta.

Funeral services for Bluffton pitcher Zachary Arend, 18, who died from his injuries March 9 in an Atlanta hospital, were held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Paulding.

Funerals were also held:

■ March 9 for Bluffton second baseman David Betts, 20, at Bryan High School.

■ March 8 for Bluffton player Tyler Williams, 19, at Philippian Missionary Baptist Church in Lima.

■ March 8 for Bluffton player Cody Holp, 19, at Lewisburg United Methodist Church.

■ March 7 for Bluffton third baseman Scott Harmon, 19, at the Elida High School Fieldhouse.

■ March 7 for bus driver Jerry Niemeyer and his wife, Jean, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus Grove.

Some injured players who initially were hospitalized have gone home.

Bluffton player Kyle King, 20, of Dover, returned home with his parents after being releaed from Atlanta Medical Center on march 12. King, a center fielder, earlier underwent surgery on his right hand.

"Kyle is in good spirits and is feeling well," a statement from King's family read. "Thank you, Atlanta community, for all your prayers, support and visits. We felt your love. You embraced us as your own family."

Another Bluffton player, William Grandlinard of Berne, Ind., was released from Grady Memorial Hospital on March 11.

Bluffton student-coach Tim Berta of Ida, Mich, remained in critical condition March 12 at Grady Hospital, though a family member said he was making a "miraculous recovery" and might be sent home soon.

In news conferences and interviews, Bluffton President James M. Harder and other university officials repeatedly thanked people from around the world who are praying for the university community and offering assistance after the tragedy.

Harder praised Atlanta officials and offered thanks to Atlanta Mennonite who reached out immediately after the crash and continued to provide ongoing help. Bluffton is affiliated with Mennonite Church USA, which has two congregations with about 200 members in Atlanta.

"The members of the Mennonite congregations in Atlanta responded quickly and compassionately to help the families of those hospitalized," Bluffton campus pastor Stephen "Tig" Intagliata said. "The families [of the crash victims] have commented on how touched they are by the way that Christina faith is being lived out through acts of concrete love and service to them."

Bluffton University contributed to this report.

Note: Other articles about the bus crash or memorial services which do not give biographical information about the victims:

Mennonite Weekly Review 2007 Mar 12 p. 11: "President: a 'resilient community'" by Fred Steiner [memorial service scheduled for March 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Founders Hall at Bluffton Univerity]

Mennonite Weekly Review 2007 Mar 12 p. 11: "Mourning, support from near and far" by Robert Rhodes

Mennonite Weekly Review 2007 Mar 19 p. 1, 6: "Bluffton University honors lives lost in crash" by Heidi Martin

Mennonite Weekly Review 2007 Mar 19 p. 6: "Students share sorrow, support online" by Robert Stutzman