Group will protest at two victims' services today
The group that has protested at funerals of military personnel killed in the Iraq War announced Sunday they will picket the services of two victims of the Northern Illinois University shootings.
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas protest funerals because they believe horrible acts are God's revenge against homosexuals.
According to their Web site, they plan to protest the funerals of Catalina Garcia and Ryanne Mace today because Northern Illinois University once hosted a conference featuring by a preacher who did not share their views.
The Patriot Guard Riders, a group that has provided counter protests when the Kansas group has picketed military funerals, has no plans to be at today's services.
Ed Mueller, chairman of the Patriot Guard Riders board of directors, said the group was formed to honor veterans, not specifically to protest the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church.
"The organization will not be out there, but that's not to say some of the people in our organization won't be there," he said. "That's up to the individual."
The services
Funeral and memorial service arrangements have been set for the victims of the Northern Illinois University shootings.
Gayle Dubowski: Visitation for the 20-year-old from Carol Stream will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Salerno's Rosedale Chapels, 450 Lake St., Roselle.
The memorial service will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Glenbard North High School, 990 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream.
Funeral services will be private.
Catalina Garcia: A viewing wake for the 20-year-old from Cicero from 9 to 11 a.m. today at Our Lady of the Mount Church, 2414 S. 61st Ave., Cicero. A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Road, Hillside.
Arrangements are being handled by Zefran Funeral Home in Chicago, (773) 847-6688.
Julianna Gehant: Visitation for the 32-year-old from Mendota will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Schwarz Funeral Home, 907 Jefferson St., Mendota. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Cross Church, Mendota. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Mendota, with full military honors.
Ryanne E. Mace: Visitation for the 19-year-old Carpentersville woman will be from noon until the time of a memorial service at 2 p.m. today at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Drive -- just off Route 64 -- in St. Charles.
Arrangements were made by Willow Funeral Home, Algonquin/Lake in the Hills, (847) 458-1700.
Dan Parmenter: Visitation for the 20-year-old from Westchester is from 3 to 9 p.m. today at Hursen Funeral Home, 4001 West Roosevelt Road, Westchester. Another visitation is from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Christ Church, 31st and York Road, Oak Brook. A service follows at 2 p.m.
An 11 a.m. service is set for Wednesday at Taylor Ridge Methodist Church in Taylor Ridge. Burial will follow at Chapel Grove Cemetery.