Community Comes Together to Celebrate Life of Seckman Teen

Family, friends and community members came together Monday night to celebrate the life of a Seckman High School freshman who died unexpectedly on Wednesday.

There were two lines to get into the church prior to the memorial service at Windsor Baptist Church. Many people wore bright blue — the high school's color. Some wore bright blue ribbons with Jacob Siebert's photo in the middle.

Inside the church Jacob's parents, Thomas and Tracy Siebert, welcomed each visitor to the service with a hug. Before the service began the Sieberts called members of the school's football team to the front and thanked them for being part of Jacob's life.

Every seat in the church was taken and the isles and other areas of the church were packed with visitors standing side-by-side. Members of the Rock Community Fire Protection and Rock Community Ambulance districts turned out in full force. Thomas Siebert is a captain with the fire district.

Although there were many tears and embraces of comfort, Jacob's family and friends pointed out that they were there to celebrate the teen's life, not to mourn his death.

Family members took turns remembering Jacob through the years. His aunt and godmother Laura Beck shared her memories of Jacob from the time he was born through his teens. Many in the audience laughed and smiled as she recalled the good times with her nephew.

"That boy never gave up no matter what he did," Beck said of Jacob's numerous activities, including lacrosse, football, hunting and video games. "If we could bring Jake back with his love alone, he would be here."

She also thanked everyone for their outpouring of support on Facebook and other social media.

"You guys have this saying: 'Fly High Jake'," Beck said. "I love it — keep saying it. Jake, keep flying — fly like a butterfly."

A memorial scholarship fund has been set up in honor of the teen at Heartland Bank in Arnold. You can write a check out to "Seckman Lacrosse Team" and either mail it or drop it off at the bank. The address is 1920 Richardson Road.

See previous stories:

• Freshman Football Player at Seckman High School Dies
• Seckman Unites on Twitter in Remembrance of Freshman Who Died
• Funeral Arrangements Announced for Seckman Football Player
• Seckman High Football Player Had Blood Clots in Lungs