Daniel, Fabian, Lillian and Daniela Gonzalez will be remembered during a a visitation next Wednesday at Weyauwega-Fremont High School from 9 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will follow. A visitation is also set for Tuesday at for 4-7 p.m. at the high school.
Both the visitation and the service are open to the public.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, December 30th at 2 p.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Weyauwega. A visitation will be held at the church from noon until the time of mass.
Lewin Funeral Home in Fremont is handling the arraignments.
Hearts are heavy in Weyauwega and the surrounding area following the deaths of the four Gonzalez siblings, but it’s been especially hard for the congregation of Emmaus Lutheran Church Waupaca.
“We all love and hug each other and cry with each other and we have to get through this too,” said Loir Reinert, administrative assistant at the church.
Not only did the Gonzalez children worship here, but their stepfather, Kurt Schilling, is the pastor.
Ever since word spread about the fatal crash and the connection to this church, the congregation has relied on their faith, much like the Schilling and Gonzalez families to deal with their grief. Just hours after the crash last weekend, Sunday service went on as scheduled. Pastor Schilling sat in a pew while another pastor preached.
According to Reinert, “I don’t think there was a dry eye in our church, it was just an amazing beautiful service that was pulled off in hours.”
And just days before Christmas, in the wake of the church and community’s tragedy, preparations are still underway for the special holiday services, including the children’s program. The youngest crash victim, Daniela Gonzalez was expected to participate.
“She was a very very good English speaking person and she knew her part very well,” added Reinert.
Church officials say Pastor Schilling plans to preach on Christmas Eve, as part of the children’s program, and the congregation will be behind him.
“Your faith is so important. Because we never know when our last day is and like Pastor says, it’s a sad time but they made a lot of families happy this Christmas by Daniel giving his organs,” said Reinert.
While sadness and grief will be felt this holiday season, this congregation will rely on their faith and church family to lift up the Schilling and Gonzalez families, as well as everyone else who walks through the door.
Reinert added, “We do everything we need to, it’s, we’re a loved church. We love each other.”
GoFundMe pages have been setup for the family.
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