FAIRBURY, Ill. – The Prairie Central School District will close for two days next week to observe the funerals of two students killed in a Colorado sledding accident.
Drew Fehr, 17, and Dylan Bazzell, 18, were involved in a sledding accident at Copper Mountain Ski Resort on March 19. Despite immediate medical attention, they could not be revived and were pronounced dead on the scene.
Funeral services have been scheduled in Fairbury for both students. The first service will be for Bazzell, with two visitations at the First Baptist Church of Fairbury, one on Sunday from 2-8 p.m. and another on Monday from 10-10:45 a.m. The funeral service will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Fairbury with Pastor Daryl Evans officiating. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Fairbury.
Fehr’s visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 28, from 1-7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Fairbury. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 29, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Fairbury with Pastors J.D. Buchenau and Dan Robertson officiating. Burial will follow the service in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury.
The Prairie Central School District also shared that a Memory Wall has been set up at the Prairie Central High School football field for photos, notes, and flowers. Stems and bunches of flowers are available at Dave’s Supermarket and Nature’s Designs. People can also pick up signs of support at various locations in Fairbury provided by the Prairie Central Athletic Boosters to hang on windows and doors.
The Prairie Lands Foundation has established the Dylan Bazzell Memorial Fund for memorial donations.
On Monday, counselors will be available to provide support for any student or staff members at the High School. As a result of the emergency, the school year will be extended by two days, and the last day of classes will be on June 1, 2023. The community is grieving over the tragic loss of these two young lives, but they are coming together to provide support during this challenging time.
