Community Corner
Friends and Family Memorialize Teen Who Drowned Last Year
Mom and Dad say their faith gets them "out of the darkness" that came with Matt Kocher's death. The Tinley Park teen died in Lake Michigan.
On Sunday, hundreds of friends and family gathered to remember Tinley Park’s Matt Kocher, who drowned in Lake Michigan one year ago. The 15-year-old boy was at summer camp with his Andrew High School friends.
The waters were rough but boys headed into the lake anyway. And Matt was swept away.
Inside St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Orland Hills, Matt’s parents, John and Kathy, recalled the phone call they received that night. Their faith continues to sustain them.
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“We’re getting through this and out of the darkness by the power of the Holy Spirit,” John said.
The Andrew High School honor student played football, basketball and volleyball. He also volunteered with the Special Olympics at Richards High School in Oak Lawn for 10 years.
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ALSO ON PATCH
» July 2013 Vigil on Tinley Park Patch
» Teen Memorialized at Special Olympics Tournament
» Water Safety Education an ‘Energizer’ for Matt’s Parents
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